• Bolton NHS Foundation Trust hosts event to support operational colleagues
• Motivational speakers help to energise, connect and develop Bolton’s operational teams
• Bolton becomes first NHS organisation to join Proud2bOps network

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has hosted its inaugural Proud2bOps conference, becoming the first NHS organisation to join the national network.

Approximately 50 of Bolton’s operational managers and leaders attended the event, held at Bolton Arena, on Wednesday 21 June.

Proud2bOps is a national network which aims to energise, connect and develop operational managers and leaders across health and care.

Operational members of staff may not always be seen by patients and their loved ones but play a vital role in supporting staff to provide the best possible care for Bolton’s patients.

The conference featured motivational talks from a range of speakers, including:

• Emma Challans-Rasool, Proud2bOps founder and chair
• Laura Butler, International Life, Wellness and Performance Coach
• Beverley Powell, Transformational Life Coach
• Rob Wright, Professional Coach, Talent, and Career development

The interactive sessions discussed the importance of wellbeing and balance in life, professional and personal development, how to become more inclusive and diverse and how Proud2bOps will help to support, develop and nurture operational staff at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.

Rae Wheatcroft, Chief Operating Officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

I am so proud that we are the first Proud2bOps NHS organisation and am excited for what the future brings through this network.

“To make sure we provide the best possible care for our patients we need to ensure our staff feel supported and have opportunities to develop, and Proud2bOps gives us a fantastic opportunity to do this.

“Proud2bOps is a great way for all our operational leaders and managers to connect and develop both personally and professionally, in a safe space.

It’s our first ever @Proud2bOps conference today!

The full day event is all about energising, connecting and developing our operational managers and leaders, with numerous speakers and activities throughout the day for our wonderful ops teams. pic.twitter.com/4DLUdbs9ag

— Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (@boltonnhsft) June 21, 2023

Emma Challans-Rasool, Proud2bOps founder and chair, said:

It was brilliant to launch Proud2bOps at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and was such a fantastic day bringing so many operational people together and focusing on them.

“Ops is a profession, just like all other areas in healthcare, and joining a professional network in Proud2bOps will provide so many benefits to Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, including professional, peer and technical development and the ability to speak with other operational leaders throughout the UK.

“I’m looking forward to how we help operational colleagues at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust develop, be coached and mentored, as well as nurtured in their roles.

Participants on the day gave the following feedback:

• “Operational management can feel a little isolating so it’s been really nice to feel like part of a bigger team”
• “Coming together gave us an opportunity to begin our steps towards better wellbeing”
• “It’s been great to give operational leaders a voice and help make positive change”

Michelle Cox, Anaesthetics and Surgery Divisional Director of Operations at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

Today was a great opportunity for all our operational leaders to come together and celebrate the great things they do on a daily basis, as well as looking at new ways of working to provide even better care for our patients.

“Patients and visitors may not always see our operational teams, but they work incredibly hard behind the scenes to make sure our staff have all they need to deliver brilliant care.

“I am thrilled that we have launched our network and that the first event was such a success.

Join our team, or find out more about working at Bolton, via our jobs page.