Case study: North East Public Health Specialty Training Registrars Wellbeing Day

The North East Network of Public Health Registrars were supported by the School for Public Health to deliver and attend an Away Day on the theme of wellbeing. This is helping to develop work to support wellbeing within the Network, the teams we work in, and the communities we serve.

Background

As future Public Health leaders, we recognise the importance of taking responsibility for our own wellbeing alongside understanding, managing and promoting mental health and wellbeing at individual and population levels across a range of settings.

What did the Network do?

A consultation with the North East Network of Public Health Registrars identified a collective need for a greater focus on wellbeing. Feedback suggested that StRs would value more connectedness and learning time focused on the practicalities of strengthening wellbeing at a network, team and community-level to develop our public health practice.

Based on this, Education Reps scoped options for organising an Away Day on the theme of wellbeing, with support from the School for Public Health. 

What were the results?

The Away Day took place in July 2025, hosted by Durham Wildlife Trust (DWT) at Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve in County Durham.

We had a guided walk to Hetton Bogs and took part in a nature volunteering activity removing invasive plants, helping to clear the land for other native flower species to thrive. DWT colleagues shared their work on Links with Nature, a Coalfields-based project aiming to revitalise local green spaces through engaging with local residents. Dr. Nicola Harker, a GP and transformational coach, then led a reflective session on self-compassion as a key leadership skill important for individual, team, and community wellbeing.

What was the impact?

We collated feedback about the day through an evaluation. StRs particularly valued:

“Being able to contribute to the community within our region, learn more about initiatives that are happening while also building professional and personal relationships with the other StRs was an amazing opportunity.”

“Spending time outside together whilst also volunteering to support a local community project - helps us understand the impact of the work we do in public health in a way which really brings things to life.”

“The camaraderie building element was exceptionally important. This helps everyone feel more connected and brings value beyond just the study day.”

Next steps

Themes from our reflection discussion included exploring further opportunities to connect with other community initiatives as a Network; championing compassionate leadership; and putting into practice this learning for ourselves, our teams, and the communities we work with.

We shared wellbeing resources and discussed how we could work together to develop a Network Wellbeing Charter or Position Statement for the North East.

We intend to continue this work on wellbeing as a Network over the coming years. This case study is intended to document the start of this journey.

Acknowledgements

This was developed by North East Public Health Specialty Training Education Reps: Alison Janes, Vineeta O’Key, Kaat Marynissen, Abi Neasham, and Sadie Perkin.

Thank you to all members of the Network who attended.

Our thanks to Durham Wildlife Trust, Dr. Nicola Harker, and the North East School of Public Health for their support for this day.

Photos