Five Ways to Wellbeing Examples in Health and Social Care

The “Five Ways to Wellbeing” is a framework developed by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) to help improve mental health and overall wellbeing. It is widely used in health and social care settings across the UK to guide staff in supporting service users and themselves. Each of the five ways is practical, easy to understand, and adaptable to different environments—whether in hospitals, care homes, community health centres, or domiciliary care.

In a health and social care setting, staff often work in high-pressure situations, and service users can face physical, emotional, or social challenges. Applying these five ways can make a noticeable difference in day-to-day wellbeing for both groups.

The five ways are:

• Connect
• Be Active
• Take Notice
• Keep Learning
• Give

Connect

Human connection is a foundation for mental wellbeing. This means building and maintaining positive relationships with others. In health and social care settings, connection is more than casual conversation—it can involve active listening, empathy, and genuine interaction.

In a hospital ward, connection might occur when nurses take time to talk with patients during routine checks, asking about their families or hobbies. It could be helping a new resident in a care home feel welcome by introducing them to other residents and organising tea afternoons. For staff, connection can happen in team briefings, sharing experiences, or offering peer support during stressful times.

Examples in practice:

• Care workers engaging residents in group activities such as singing sessions or reminiscence therapy for those with dementia.
• Regular “catch-up” meetings between staff to share successes and challenges.
• Encouraging family involvement in care planning meetings so service users feel surrounded by familiar support.

Good connection reduces feelings of isolation and can improve confidence for both staff and service users.

Be Active

Physical activity is known to improve mood, energy levels, and overall health. In health and social care contexts, “being active” can be adapted to suit all abilities and health conditions. The focus is on movement that brings enjoyment and comfort.

In a rehabilitation unit, physiotherapists might design light exercise routines for recovering patients. In a care home, staff can arrange chair-based yoga for those with limited mobility. Mental health services may run walking groups where clients take short strolls with staff in local parks.

Examples in practice:

• Daily stretching routines in residential care settings.
• Dance therapy sessions for people with learning disabilities.
• Encouraging staff to join short lunchtime walks together.

Activity improves physical health, but it also encourages social interaction and gives a sense of achievement. Staff who keep active often find they are better able to manage stress.

Take Notice

Taking notice means being present in the moment. In health and social care, this can help service users feel grounded and more aware of positive experiences. It can also be beneficial for staff who may work in busy, emotionally demanding environments.

Practices such as mindfulness exercises, guided relaxation, or simply encouraging patients to notice what they can see and hear on a nature walk can be effective. For someone receiving palliative care, taking notice might involve spending quiet time with loved ones, appreciating scents, sounds, or treasured photographs.

Examples in practice:

• Art activities in mental health units where service users concentrate on colours and textures.
• Staff taking five minutes between tasks to breathe deeply and refocus.
• Sensory gardens in care facilities where residents can interact with plants and listen to water features.

Taking notice can relieve anxiety, improve mood, and help people appreciate everyday moments.

Keep Learning

Learning supports confidence, self-esteem, and can inspire hope. In health and social care settings, it is often incorporated into rehabilitation programmes, staff development, and service user engagement.

For patients recovering from stroke, learning new ways to complete daily tasks restores independence. In dementia care, learning simple new routines can help maintain function. For staff, continuous training in subjects like safeguarding or new medical techniques keeps skills current and encourages professional growth.

Examples in practice:

• Occupational therapists teaching clients how to cook with adaptive equipment.
• Holding “skills swap” sessions between staff on different specialist techniques.
• Encouraging service users to attend local adult education classes, with transport support.

Learning can be formal or informal, and even small amounts of progress can give huge satisfaction.

Give

Giving creates meaning and can build stronger bonds. In health and social care, giving might not always be material—it can mean offering time, patience, attention, or emotional support.

Service users often feel valued when they can help others. For example, a resident in a care home could help staff prepare the dining tables, or read to fellow residents with sight loss. Staff can “give” by supporting colleagues through challenging shifts or volunteering for community health projects.

Examples in practice:

• Organising charity events within a healthcare setting, with service users involved.
• Peer mentorship programmes for new healthcare assistants.
• Encouraging patients to write thank-you notes to volunteers or staff.

Giving nurtures mutual respect and helps strengthen the community atmosphere in health and social care environments.

Applying the Five Ways Together

The real strength of the Five Ways to Wellbeing lies in using them together. For example, a gardening club in a care home involves connecting with others, being active through planting, taking notice of the plants’ growth, learning about horticulture, and giving by sharing produce.

In an NHS community service, group cooking classes can combine learning new recipes, connecting with the other participants, being active, noticing fresh ingredients, and giving meals to those in need.

Staff wellbeing programmes often use all five ways in planned activities over a month, linking them to workplace health promotion strategies.

Supporting Different Groups

Different service users have different needs, so staff should adapt activities appropriately. For example:

• People with limited mobility benefit from chair-based activities that still provide connection and a sense of achievement.
• Those with mental health difficulties may prefer small group sessions to reduce anxiety while still building connections.
• People with sensory impairments may need accessible formats—such as tactile resources for taking notice or audio materials for learning.

Staff often apply the Five Ways during care planning, using them to identify meaningful daily activities. This prevents service users from feeling isolated and maintains wellbeing alongside medical care.

Impact on Staff Wellbeing

In health and social care, staff resilience is important. Applying the Five Ways to Wellbeing for employees can reduce stress and improve team morale. Connection between staff cuts feelings of loneliness; being active boosts energy and reduces fatigue; taking notice prevents burnout; learning aids career satisfaction; and giving strengthens workplace culture.

Examples for staff:

• Weekly team walks in the local area.
• Skills exchanges between departments.
• Mindfulness workshops after shifts.
• Staff contribution to community outreach programmes.

These actions support staff as they care for others, and help reduce turnover and absences.

Final Thoughts

The Five Ways to Wellbeing provide clear ideas that work in everyday health and social care settings. They offer a framework that is easy to put into practice, adaptable for different abilities, and beneficial for both service users and staff. By connecting, being active, taking notice, keeping learning, and giving, organisations can create environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to thrive. Applying these in real settings—whether through group activities, individual plans, or workplace initiatives—can create positive changes that last.