About the RESTORE Research Project

Palliative care workers face high levels of stress due to the emotional demands of caring for dying patients and grieving families. This can negatively impact their mental wellbeing and the quality of care they provide. Sector-wide resource constraints may worsen these challenges, increasing staff burnout and sick leave.

To address this, we have developed an online wellbeing program called RESTORE. It offers psychological training through live sessions, videos, audio exercises, and a workbook. RESTORE helps staff recognize and change unhelpful stress responses, build resilience, and stay connected to what matters most in their work.

An initial small study showed RESTORE was well-received and beneficial.  We are now undertaking a larger study involving 30 hospices across the UK to investigate is RESTORE training promotes staff wellbeing over and above access to usual wellbeing support.  

Staff at half our sites will receive RESTORE training, while the other half will access standard support. Researchers will assess wellbeing, burnout, and stress using surveys and interviews. All hospices in the ‘standard support; arm will receive RESTORE too, but at a later stage.

If RESTORE proves more effective, it may be rolled out across UK hospices to support staff and improve end-of-life care. The ultimate goal is to make effective mental wellbeing support accessible to all palliative care workers.