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Thrive at work 2025

Thrive at Work is a free virtual event created to help NHS staff prepare for the months ahead. With winter bringing extra pressures, we'll be running seven sessions to help you learn new skills, and explore time-saving approaches that make work feel more manageable. Take a look at all the sessions and timings below.

Last year, more than 7,000 NHS colleagues signed up, so book your free place soon. One booking covers the whole day, so you can drop in and out as your schedule allows.

If you’re not an NHS Elect member, please choose “Book as guest” below.

Date Friday, 14 November 2025 09:00 AM - 16:00 PM
Where Details Online Online - MS Teams
User Details Members: Free
Level Details Suitable for all levels
Sign In
Radio112773 people viewed this event

Agenda for the day

09:00 – 09:15

Welcome

Welcome Introduction

Join Caroline and Joe as they open the day and share what to expect from the sessions ahead. It’s a chance to connect with other colleagues across the NHS too.

Headshot of Caroline Dove

Caroline Dove

CEO, NHS Elect

Headshot of Joe Blunden

Joe Blunden

Director of Communications, NHS Elect

09:15 – 10:15

The science and habits of happiness

Resilience Happiness

We’ll explore the science behind what truly makes us feel fulfilled and happy at work and in life. Drawing on psychology and practical habits, this session is ideal for anyone wanting to proactively support their own mental health, teams looking to lift morale, and those struggling with burnout.

Headshot of Tiwa Adebayo

Tiwa Adebayo

Founder, Confident & Killing It

10:15 – 11:15

Belly Full: A book discussion on life on the NHS front line

Resilience Wellbeing

Join Dr Heidi Edmundson, Emergency Medicine consultant and author, for a candid discussion on the realities of working on the NHS front line. Drawing on her book Belly Full, Heidi will share insights into the pressures and personal toll of emergency medicine, the impact on staff wellbeing, and the values that keep clinicians committed through challenge and change.

Headshot of Dr Heidi Edmundson

Dr Heidi Edmundson

Doctor and Author

Headshot of Leanne Saddler

Leanne Saddler

Director, NHS Elect

11:30 – 11:50

Desk yoga with Leanne

Wellbeing Mindfulness

Take a break with simple yoga moves designed for anyone who spends long hours at a desk. No equipment or experience is needed, Leanne will guide you through beginner-friendly stretches and techniques you can weave into your working day to ease tension and boost your energy.

Headshot of Leanne Saddler

Leanne Saddler

Director, NHS Elect

11:50 – 12:45

Pragmatic positivity: Thriving in challenging times

Resilience Mindset

Adopting a pragmatic positive mindset can help individuals and teams manage pressure and respond effectively in the toughest NHS environments. You’ll explore how mindset shapes resilience, self-esteem, and decision-making, and why making a conscious decision to be kind is the most significant step you can take toward both personal and professional success.

Headshot of Paul Devlin

Paul Devlin

Emergency Care Improvement Support Team, NHS England

13:15 – 14:15

Bite-sized productivity hacks

Productivity Time savers

This fast-paced session brings together four speakers to share quick, practical ideas you can put into action straight away. From organising your emails, to tackling the tasks you keep putting off, each speaker will offer simple tips to make your working day easier. Perfect for anyone looking for realistic, time-saving tips before the winter rush.

Headshot of Joe Blunden

Joe Blunden

Director of Communications, NHS Elect

Headshot of Sally Vaughan

Sally Vaughan

Director, NHS Elect

Headshot of Jim Timpson

Jim Timpson

Joint Managing Director Membership, NHS Elect

Headshot of Richard Horner

Richard Horner

Associate Director, NHS Elect

14:15 – 14:45

Staying strong through career setbacks

Career development Resilience

Job interviews, applications, and organisational change can take their toll, especially when rejection or uncertainty is involved. This session will show how to reframe feedback as something to learn from, rather than a reflection of your worth. You’ll discover ways to manage the emotions that come with career setbacks, explore steps to move forward with confidence, and build resilience during a time of change across the NHS.

Headshot of Sue Kong

Sue Kong

Director, NHS Elect

Headshot of Rob Wright

Rob Wright

Associate Director, NHS Elect

15:00 – 16:00

Resilience and the power of saying yes

Resilience Mindset

After surviving 12 near-death experiences and being given just a 10% chance of survival, Anthony takes us through the physical and mental journey he experienced. Having made a full recovery, he went on to raise millions for the hospital that saved his life and was named one of the happiest people in the UK after being featured in the Independent on Sunday’s Happy List. In this session, Anthony shares how post-traumatic growth has shaped his outlook on life, and shows how you can harness the power of self-challenge, teamwork and positive thinking to overcome setbacks and create opportunities, even in the toughest times.

Headshot of Paul Devlin

Anthony Bennett

Anthony Inspires

 

FAQs

Do I only need to book once for the whole event?
Yes - you only need to book once, and you can use the same MS Teams link to join any session throughout the day.
I can't attend the whole day, is that ok?
Feel free to join for any sessions that interest you, or that your diary allows. You don't have to join for the whole day.
Do I need to be an NHS Elect member to join?
No, this free virtual event is open to all NHS staff. Simply choose 'guest checkout' above to book your place.

Lead facilitators

Caroline Dove

Caroline has been CEO of NHS Elect since 2003, building a team of amazing people to provide high quality, in-house support to healthcare organisations across the country, and developing leaders to enable them to deliver improved services. Caroline joined the NHS on the National Management Training Scheme and has spent her entire career working as a leader in the NHS. She worked mainly in acute hospitals in operational and strategic management, including as an Executive Director at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Caroline has a passion for supporting NHS staff in delivering better care for our patients. In the 1990s she led the operational development of the UK's first treatment centre and has supported leaders for over 20 years in learning, developing and mentoring.

Joe Blunden

Joe is a multi-award winning marketing and communications specialist with over 15 years of experience across a range of industries. He has worked for the NHS for the past 10 years, including marketing, communications and engagement roles in both acute and community settings.

He is a compulsive learner and recently completed an MBA (Distinction), having gained a Professional Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a Diploma in Managing Digital Media and a degree in business.

Joe directed the successful campaign to get the NHS Choir to Christmas number one in 2015, raising over £300k for charity in the process. He also led NHS Voices in 2018, bringing together 30 celebrity singers to record a song for the NHS, which was made into a documentary by ITV.

Joe specialises in strategy development and digital communication and has extensive experience in PR, stakeholder engagement and campaign development.

What participants say

7,000+

NHS staff signed up last year

"“All of the sessions were just fantastic. I planned to just dip in and out across the day but was glued to my screen. I have done this on a day off and it has felt like a day of nourishment and inspiration”

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Thrive at work 2025
Thrive at Work is a free virtual event created to help NHS staff prepare for the months ahead. With winter bringing extra pressures, we'll be running seven sessions to help you lea...
  • celender icon  14 Nov 2025
  • Event Icon 09:00-16:00
  • Event Icon  Suitable for all levels
  • Event Icon  Online
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