Healthcare Heartbeat: new program supporting healthcare workers
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Adelaide-based charity World Youth International is proud to launch Healthcare Heartbeat, which aims to solve some of the many challenges that our healthcare system is currently facing as a result of the pandemic. Healthcare Heartbeat brings together a range of essential services tailored for our healthcare workers, particularly nurses, under one united banner. Through Healthcare Heartbeat, healthcare professionals can access a range of mental fitness training and self-development courses, access to crisis lines, career development, coaching, mentoring, retreats, overseas nursing placements, accommodation getaways and meal delivery services.
The covid-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on World Youth International, which facilitates unique international volunteer placements for nurses. Forced to postpone all overseas volunteer placements over the past 2 years has meant that the charity has relied on new initiatives and generous donations to survive, and the fact that they are still standing today is a testament to the strength of a resilient, adaptable organisation that has proven once again that they are here for the long run.
Working with Australian healthcare professionals since 2005 has given World Youth International a great insight into the sector and the challenges that our healthcare professionals face on a daily basis. It’s this experience, combined with their network within the healthcare industry, which meant the development of Healthcare Heartbeat was an inevitable and natural transition for the organisation.
“I interviewed past participants of our overseas volunteering program Nurses In Action, many of whom are now working on the frontlines of the pandemic, to get a better sense of their workplace challenges. I noted that there are much higher levels of anxiety, workplace stress, burnout, and communication breakdowns amongst healthcare staff than ever before. This is having a significant flow on effect to their families, home life and their mental well-being,” highlights Terry Hoey, General Manager, Healthcare Heartbeat.
“The pressures on our healthcare system and the impact this is having on our frontline workers continues to rise each day. I decided it was time for change and felt it is our responsibility as an Australian charity to contribute to a solution, and facilitate a program that allows businesses, families and individuals to give back to these courageous healthcare heroes.”
Healthcare Heartbeat’s website has launched, and throughout the next few months, the organisation will showcasing the many opportunities to be involved in a vital and life-changing service that aims to inspire positive change to a workforce at breaking point.
Healthcare professional can apply to become a sponsored Healthcare Hero and receive tokens to spend on the Healthcare Heartbeat website. Learn more and register here: https://healthcareheartbeat.org.au
A number of reputable organisations within various industries across Australia have already jumped on board to support this innovative initiative. Announcements regarding these partnerships and collaborations will be made in the next few months, so follow the @HealthcareHeartbeat social media platforms to keep your finger on the pulse.
Healthcare Heartbeat offers a variety of ways for individuals and organisations to give back to our healthcare heroes. Click here for more information: https://healthcareheartbeat.org.au/donate/sponsorship/
Lourdes Antenor is an experienced writer who specialises in the not-for-profit sector and its affiliations. She is the content producer for Third Sector News, an online knowledge-based platform for and about the Australian NFP sector.
