Three leading specialist charities — Staffordshire Women’s Aid, Pathway Project and SARAC came together to deliver the first-ever Tri‑Wellbeing Day, a full-day conference dedicated to supporting the wellbeing, resilience, and professional strength of their teams.
Hosted at Uttoxeter Race Course, the event brought together all staff and some volunteers working across domestic abuse and sexual violence services for a carefully curated programme blending restorative activities, professional learning, and cross‑organisational connection. It marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the three organisations, who collectively support thousands of survivors across Staffordshire each year.
A Day Designed for the People Who Support Others Every Day
The day opened with a welcome breakfast, followed by an introductory address and networking activities designed to help colleagues connect with peers they may not normally meet. The programme featured an inspiring opening ‘honest’ address by Jess Phillips, before moving into focused sessions exploring workplace culture, emotional resilience, and the challenges of trauma‑exposed work.
Participants took part in a Sound Bath session with Verity, yoga breathing with Sara Mae, and a motivational talk delivered by Peggy, alongside opportunities to reflect, share experiences, and build supportive relationships across agencies.
Interactive “table toys,” wellbeing‑themed activities, and a collaborative prize challenge helped create a relaxed, nurturing atmosphere, encouraging staff to pause, breathe, and reconnect with one another.
Recognising the Critical Importance of Staff Wellbeing
Frontline workers in domestic abuse and sexual violence services carry out some of the most emotionally demanding work in the charity sector. They support individuals living with trauma, fear, crisis, and long-term harm, often while navigating complex systems to secure safety and justice for survivors.
This work is vital, but it also takes an emotional toll.
Investing in staff wellbeing is not optional; it is essential.
For charities operating in trauma‑informed environments, staff wellbeing directly affects:
- Service quality — emotionally supported staff can provide more grounded, consistent support
- Safety — both staff and service users benefit when workers are well-rested, regulated, and resourced
- Retention — wellbeing reduces burnout and turnover in an already challenging recruitment landscape
- Resilience — organisations are stronger when their people feel valued, connected, and cared for
- Partnership working — cross-agency relationships grow when teams feel confident and supported
The Tri‑Wellbeing Day was created to acknowledge this reality and to offer staff dedicated time to rest, restore, and feel appreciated.
A Shared Commitment Across Three Specialist Organisations
In a joint statement, Staffordshire Women’s Aid, Pathway Project, and SARAC said:
“Our teams carry a huge emotional load to protect and empower survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Their work is powerful, skilled and often invisible. This conference is our way of recognising their dedication and giving them the space to pause and be cared for. Staff wellbeing is fundamental to the quality and sustainability of the services we provide. When our staff are supported, survivors are better supported too.”
The three organisations emphasised that wellbeing is not a one-day activity, but a pillar of long-term organisational culture — something they are committed to championing together.
Strengthening a United Front for Survivors in Staffordshire
The Tri‑Wellbeing Day also highlighted the increasing strength of partnership working across the county. By bringing staff together from three specialist services, the event strengthened collaborative bonds and helped build a more cohesive network of support for those experiencing abuse.
With the positive feedback from attendees and organisers alike, all three charities hope to explore future joint initiatives to continue nurturing a healthy, resilient and well‑supported workforce.
They wish to give thanks to The staffordshire Commissioner for funding such an important event.
