The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Health & Wellbeing Award

Ian Puckrin

Said the following about Frances Garvey-Fereday:

“Frances is a wise, passionate and vibrant advocate for health and wellbeing in Network Rail. She has helped me personally - through powerful and succinct conversations that have made a significant positive impact on my health and wellbeing - and she helps my colleagues, through brilliantly organised mental and physical health workshops and 'stand down' days.

Her role, that of occupational health and wellbeing manager for the 8,000 people of North & East Route is a demanding one, yet she always seems able to make time for individuals. She is an empathic and diligent listener, and offers fresh, practical advice without judgment or condescension.

In her five years in the post she has rebuilt the Route's health surveillance program, focusing on staff as individual people and moving away from the previous (and flawed) 'one size fits all' approach to one based on local and individual needs. She plans and delivers really creative events and action plans to encourage conversations, reflection and wiser nutritional choices.

In summary, I feel that Frances has made a huge difference, and I (and, I have no doubt, many others) would love it if her unstinting efforts to help make people healthier and happier were recognised by our industry.“