Abstract

During 2016 staff in the Human Resources Department at the University of Lincoln approached Dr Carol Rea from the School of Human Sciences and Dr Ros Kane from the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Lincoln and invited them to undertake a staff wellbeing intervention.

Planning meetings were held during May 2016 and a decision was taken to conduct a pre- and post- intervention measures of a range of biomedical markers (quantitative component) and a series of in-depth interviews with a sample of intervention participants (qualitative component). The quantitative component was led by Dr Rae and is being reported on separately. This document reports on the qualitative element of the study which was led by Dr Kane and a team of researchers from the School of Health and Social Care.

During March 2016, information was advertised to staff about the launch of a wellbeing initiative to help assist with restful sleep. Publicity information which was promoted to staff electronically along with information about how to sign up for the intervention are included at Appendix 1 and 2. Individuals who were interested sent an email to the human resources team to gain further information. Potential participants were sent details of the two central components of the initiative; 1. To download an app and use this at their leisure, 2. To participate in the restful sleep study which involved pre- and post- body composite measurements, saliva samples and a lifestyles questionnaire and the option to take part in a subsequent individual interview.

The intervention was for a 21-day period with most participants commencing on 13th June 2016 using a link they were sent via email. The deadline date for commencing the study was 8th July and therefore all participants had completed the study by 29th July 2016.

The post study measurements were taken in the week commencing 1st August 2016. After the participants had attended this appointment, they were asked if they would be willing to participate in an interview on their experiences of the study and a convenient date and time was arranged for this.