Furloughed airline staff help Chesterfield Royal Hospital workers relax in new VIP Wellness Lounge

Airline workers, who have been furloughed, grounded or made redundant during the pandemic, helped ‘incredible’ Chesterfield Royal Hospital staff relax in a new VIP lounge designed to improve their wellbeing.

By Lizzie Day

Published 29th Apr 2021, 13:38 BST

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Crews used their customer service skills and experience to provide workers at the hospital with some respite and the chance to share their experiences, as they assisted with the launch of the new space for staff.

The new VIP wellness lounge was set up at Chesterfield Royal Hospital to help healthcare employees relax and enjoy a hot drink and snack away from work.

A total of 70 airline or aviation staff who are currently not working offered their assistance to the initiative known as ‘Project Wingman’ to thank NHS staff for their sacrifices during the pandemic.

Airline and aviation staff helped healthcare workers at Chesterfield Royal Hospital enjoy a well-deserved break at the hospital's new wellness lounge.

Airline and aviation staff helped healthcare workers at Chesterfield Royal Hospital enjoy a well-deserved break at the hospital's new wellness lounge.

Part of the Wingman team at the Royal, Charlotte Turner said: “I normally work as a senior first officer at TUI – so I fly the Boeing 737’s out of Doncaster on the short haul flights.

"Usually I’m there and back in one day. I really miss it and can’t wait to get back!

“I saw Project Wingman advertised and I thought it was so lovely.

"NHS workers do such an incredible job and have been working throughout – everyone must be absolutely shattered, having long shifts in a tough environment.

The crews used their customer service skills to provide the hospital staff with some respite, as well as an opportunity to share their experiences.

The crews used their customer service skills to provide the hospital staff with some respite, as well as an opportunity to share their experiences.

"We work in an environment that’s really lovely and where we are trying to get people to come on holiday and make you feel amazing.

"We can’t do that at the moment so we’d like to give it back by bringing it in to Chesterfield Royal Hospital.”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s workforce health and wellbeing lead Andy Picked added: “Project Wingman is an innovative initiative ran by airline crew, pilots and aviation sector staff to provide a decompression space for NHS Staff away from the challenges of the work environment – especially important during a pandemic.

“Project Wingman has contributed to a comprehensive staff health and wellbeing support programme already in place at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and provided an opportunity for staff and airline crew to share a conversation over a drink and a few treats in line with social distancing and covid rules.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with these professional who have volunteered their time to run their first class refreshment lounges.”

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Chesterfield Royal Hospital