Dorset’s frontline professionals invited to “Working Well ” day to tackle burnout and build resilience for 2027
Professionals who support others across Dorset, including social workers, midwives, healthcare professionals, carers, counsellors, teachers, youth workers, early help, family support, probation and prison officers, and health workers, are being invited to a full-day training event focused on their own wellbeing and resilience.
“Working Well in 2027” is being run by Interstellar Dorset Ltd, the training and professional development arm of Dorset charity STARS Dorset (Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service). It takes place on Wednesday 20 January 2027 at Kingston Maurward, near Dorchester, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
The morning will be led by Dr Sarah Hattam, a GP with more than 30 years’ experience. Her career has given her a close view of how work affects health, and how health affects work. She has seen highly skilled professionals leave their careers early because of burnout and avoidable physical or mental health problems. Her session will share evidence-based strategies to manage energy and maintain performance through the year ahead and in times of pressure, focusing on sleep, stress management, hormonal health, and how to fuel the body for energy and health.
In the afternoon, the STARS Dorset team will lead a practical, interactive workshop-based session. This will focus on self-care strategies, building on the morning session, and supporting delegates to create their own self-care toolkit to help support them in their frontline work throughout 2027 focsuing on “working well” throughout the year. The afternoon will end with a focused wellbeing activity to round off the day.
The day is aimed at anyone who supports other people in a paid or voluntary role. That includes social workers, midwives, youth workers in community and statutory settings, safeguarding leads and safeguarding board members, pastoral staff in schools, probation and prison officers, family support and early help workers, children’s services teams, counsellors, housing officers, frontline health staff, GPs and primary care networks. Between 50 and 100 delegates are expected.
Helen Stevens, CEO of STARS Dorset, said: “People working on the front line give so much of themselves to others, often in very demanding circumstances, with increasing complexity, multiple vulnerabilities and risks, and their own wellbeing can easily come last. Through Interstellar Dorset, we want to give the opportunity for a focused day of investment in their own wellbeing and self-care, providing them with practical tools to look after themselves, so they can keep doing the work that matters so much to the people they support. January is the ideal time to stop, reflect and set up the year ahead.”
Dr Sarah Hattam said: “I get a real buzz from seeing individuals and teams thrive once they understand how to work in line with their own physiology. Small, evidence-based changes to sleep, stress and nutrition can make a big difference to how people feel and perform, especially in roles where the pressure rarely lets up.”
Tickets are £149 and can be booked at interstellardorset.com/training. Price includes refreshment, lunch and CPD certificate.
Notes to editors
Interstellar Dorset Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of STARS Dorset, based at Hammick House, Poundbury, Dorchester. It provides training and professional support events, and facility hire. Any profits directly support the work of STARS Dorset. www.interstellardorset.com
Dr Sarah Hattam is a GP, GP Appraiser for NHS England, and founder of organisational performance consultancy Concilio Health (www.conciliohealth.com). She is also a health-tech entrepreneur, having developed Me and My Health, a platform supporting women’s health including menstrual health, fertility and menopause, and Your Wellbeing Matters, a workplace wellbeing and performance diagnostic tool. She speaks regularly on leadership development courses for UK and global clients.