Third series of discussions on veterinary wellbeing to take place.
A new series of 'Campfire Chats' has been announced by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon's (RCVS) Mind Matters Initiative (MMI).
Campfire Chats, a free platform for informal discussions on veterinary mental health and wellbeing, ran for two series in 2021 and was a popular initiative among the professions.
The next series of Campfire Chats will discuss celebrating diversity, the importance of creativity, overcoming self-doubt and stress, identity outside of work, coping with loss and overcoming loneliness.
Director of the MMI, Angharad Belcher, spoke about the upcoming events: “Our topics for this year are based on the ideas that we have received from previous attendees.
“We all lead busy professional and personal lives and sometimes it means that self-care, which includes talking to others about how we’re feeling and about issues that we find important to us, can fall by the wayside.
“Our Campfire Chats offer a perfect opportunity – and excuse – to take a bit of time out of your schedule to engage in a structured but informal discussion about all manner of subjects, expertly led by a chair and panel with experience, lived and otherwise, on the topic being talked about.”
The events will take place as follows:
Tuesday 1 March 2022 7pm to 8pm: Celebrating Diversity
Monday 21 March 2022 7pm to 8pm:The joy of creativity
Tuesday 5 April 2022 7pm yo 8pm: Overcoming self doubt and stressing out
Thursday 21 April 2022 7pm to 8pm: Identity - who am I away from work?
Tuesday 3 May 2022 7pm to 8pm: Saying goodbye... letting go and learning to grow
Thursday 12 May 2022 7pm to 8pm: Tackling loneliness in a hyperconnected world.
“These events are for the whole veterinary team, we keep the sessions very informal, and there is also the opportunity to share or ask questions of the panel,” added Angharad.
“If you’ve not attended before then please sign up, and if you have then we look forward to welcoming you back.”
Registration and further details for each session can be found here, and further information can be requested from Abi Hanson, Mind Matters Initiative Officer on a.hanson@rvcs.org.uk
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
