Chill and Spill: Ground breaking men’s staff health group launches at UHNM

A first-of-its-kind men’s health initiative aimed at supporting the health and wellbeing of hospital staff has launched at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM). 

UHNM’s Organisational Development (OD) department has held its first ‘Chill and Spill’ group session at the Royal Stoke University Hospital to encourage men across the organisation to have open and informal conversations on a range of topics from self-care to mental health. 

The session, which was attended by over 40 members of the Royal Stoke’s Estates workshop, marks a major milestone in the ongoing development of the UHNM Men’s Health Group, which first launched in June 2023.

The group was set up by James Harvey, organisational development trainer, who began his journey at UHNM as an apprentice in 2010. 

James said: “Our UHNM staff networks, including the Women’s Network, were doing fantastic work but it became apparent that as an organisation we weren’t championing men’s health enough, and we could be doing more to support the health and wellbeing of our male colleagues. 

“Men’s health was something that was always bubbling away in me, so it was put to me by OD management to create a group with their support for the benefit of the men of UHNM. 

“It held open staff meetings every six weeks and regular podcasts which are available both internally and to the public, but we wanted to grow the group further and reach even more colleagues.

“The aim of Chill and Spill is to create a safe and relaxed space for men at UHNM to simply talk, be that about serious issues or everyday life. We began to approach individual departments, and the estates team, being a male-dominated area, was a natural starting point, and with incredible support from their senior leadership the first session was a fantastic success attended by over 40 colleagues. 

“The reaction from the men in the room was overwhelming. The open format allowed everyone to contribute at their own pace, and we covered a wide range of topics, from suicide prevention to burnout and the emotional challenges of fatherhood. One colleague told us afterward how a topic we discussed brought up deep emotions he’d never shared before.”

One of the colleagues to benefit was Marc Porter, estates manager who attended the session with members of his team.

He said: “The Chill and Spill session had a positive impact not only on my team but me personally. The response from my colleagues was overwhelmingly positive, with many thanking me afterwards and looking forward to the next one. For me, it highlighted how much I’ve kept to myself over the years instead of speaking openly, something many men struggle with.”

James was inspired to champion men’s health following the tragic loss of his brother, Nick, on New Year’s Eve in 2019.         

He said: “Nick’s deterioration in mental health led to poor physical health. He was a lovely man, and I’m proud to celebrate his life by helping other men speak out before it’s too late. I definitely feel his memory is helping me to drive forward and progress the group.”

James is already planning further Chill and Spill sessions across other departments at Royal Stoke and County Hospital, Stafford, with interest in the sessions growing not just within UHNM but from neighbouring NHS Trusts.

James said: “This is about creating a culture where men feel seen and supported. It’s about all of us looking out for one another, making time for self-care, and promoting real connection. I want this to be the best men’s health group in the NHS. We’re just getting started, but we’re already making a difference.”

Dave Ruscoe, deputy director of estates, facilities and PFI, said: “Joining the Men's Health Group at UHNM has been a powerful reminder of how vital it is to create safe spaces for open conversation. It's no secret that men often struggle to speak up or seek help when they need it most. This group, under James Harvey’s passionate leadership, is changing that one conversation at a time.

“Our recent session with the Royal Stoke estates workshop team was a brilliant example of how even a short, informal gathering can spark meaningful dialogue and bring colleagues closer together. The fact that others have since reached out for support shows just how needed this is. I’m proud to be part of something that’s growing steadily and starting to make a difference.

The podcast series is available both internally at UHNM and externally via Vimeo and continues to explore a wide range of men’s health topics.