Natalie's role crucial to understanding why staff feel they belong in Swansea Bay
PICTURED: Natalie Mills, retention lead for Swansea Bay University Health Board.
At the heart of any organisation is its staff, and at Swansea Bay University Health Board our aim is to help our workforce thrive.
We know that positive staff experience and wellbeing contributes to improving patient care.
We are committed to recognising everyone whether as a patient, family member or colleague as an individual and helping them to access and feel they belong in our services and our workplace.
However, following feedback from over 4,500 people - public, patients, families and our staff – it was identified that there were barriers to them accessing services because of their protected characteristic(s) under the Equality Act 2010, and they were made to feel different within our services.
As a result of that, we have committed to taking further steps to improve equality, diversity and belonging.
We have launched We All Belong, a three-year Strategic Equality Plan, based on the views of over 4,500 people on their healthcare experiences.
It aims to make every single person feel that they belong in all our services – whether as a service user, family member supporting them, or as a member of staff.
For our 14,000-strong staff, each health board employee is likely to play a role in a patient’s care at some point whether that’s in a clinical, admin or community position.
By investing in our staff, our aim is for them to continue their career and development in Swansea Bay.
Natalie Mills, retention lead for the health board, works alongside senior figures to ensure staff feel valued and motivated to stay.
Natalie has worked for the health board since 2019, and knows all too well the importance of being valued.
PICTURED: Natalie (far left) was among the health board representation at Swansea Pride last weekend.
Natalie said: “Belonging is at the heart of retention.
“When people feel like they truly belong, they’re more likely to stay, to grow, and to thrive.
“For me, belonging in Swansea Bay isn’t just about having a job — it’s about being able to show up as myself, every single day.
“I’ve been lucky to work alongside incredible people who’ve welcomed me, supported me, and celebrated my differences.
“The managers I’ve had have created space for me to be heard, to lead, and to learn — and that’s made all the difference.”
The health board is proud to have a multi-cultural and diverse workforce. Natalie leads on developing and delivering strategies to retain staff.
Her role involves using data and staff feedback to shape initiatives that support wellbeing, promote flexible working and enhance the employee experience - ensuring staff feel valued, engaged and motivated to stay.
Natalie added: “I've been incredibly fortunate to work on a range of meaningful initiatives throughout my time in the health board - from leading the staff recognition agenda and witnessing the remarkable work happening across the organisation, to supporting staff wellbeing during Covid through the rollout of trauma and mental health programmes.
PICTURED: Natalie (centre) with Joanne Abbott-Davies, Assistant Director of Insight, Engagement & Fundraising and Nicola O'Sullivan, Head of Engagement, Directorate of Insight, Communications and Engagement.
“Creating and delivering civility sessions to multidisciplinary teams and hearing how they’ve made a real impact has been especially rewarding. I’ve also had the joy of being active in our staff networks, whether it’s marching in Pride, celebrating at the Indian Mela, or now working with teams to support staff retention.
“These experiences have given me a rich insight into the diverse cultures, communities, and people that make up our health board.
“I establish why people stay or leave by using data and staff feedback to shape meaningful initiatives, but there’s more to it than that.
“When we talk about retention, it’s easy to solely focus on policies or perks, but actually, it’s that feeling of connection — of being seen and valued — that keeps people here.
“I’ve experienced that first-hand, and as retention lead, my goal is to help others feel the same way. Because when we belong, we stay.”
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
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