Your wellbeing matters

Thank you for your phenomenal efforts in continuing to keep our patients safe and looking after each other.

The impact on mental health and wellbeing must not be underestimated and it is really important that we look out for each other, and take proactive and supportive actions to support everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.

We want to ensure that our people are provided with the correct support and an environment that enables and encourages each of us to lead healthy lives and make choices to support our wellbeing.

There are many resources available to you to help with your health and wellbeing and for you to be able to raise concerns with confidence if necessary.

Details on our wellbeing packages are available on our intranet here. This includes physical, mental, financial and emotional support. Please know that this support is available to everyone

• It’s so important that everyone takes time for fresh air and exercise, stays hydrated and has the opportunity to rest.

• Care First can offer you counselling support that can be accessed 24/7. Please call 0800 174319 or click here for more information.

• The Trust has 91 trained Mental Health First Aiders within the organisation. Mental Health First Aiders are trained volunteers ready to offer staff an empathic listening ear, initial inthe-moment support and to signpost as appropriate using their knowledge of mental health and wellbeing, and the Trust’s wellbeing pathways. Though not acting as counsellors or therapists, they can offer initial brief, one-off listening support to staff in their areas. Please check with your manager who the MHF Aiders in your area are. Click here for more information.

• In many situations, having someone to talk to can lighten our load; when we are listened to this helps us to feel valued. Therefore we have trained a group of staff from across the Trust as Peer to Peer (P2P) Volunteers to help support colleagues. P2P are trained to provide confidential, non-judgmental peer support, signposting to other internal contacts where appropriate. P2P listeners are trained in supportive listening skills but they won’t be acting as counsellors. More information can be found here.

• We have a number of network groups (the Disability, Ability & Wellbeing Network, the Race Equality & Inclusion Network and the Hospital Pride Network) who support our aims to improve our culture and I would encourage anyone who is interested in joining to click here to find out further information.

For a full list of other support available to you, including counselling, online support and free wellbeing apps, please click here

Please contact our Wellbeing Team at sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net and they will be able to signpost you to the most appropriate help and support.