The Staff Psychology Service are available to provide support to teams across the trust including:
• Consultancy
• Formulation
• Team interventions
• Critical Incident Debriefing
• Reflective Practice
• Bespoke Training
• Embedding Psychological Thinking
Please contact The Staff Psychology Service to discuss how your team can be supported: Sath.staffpsychology@nhs.net
HR/People Advisory Team
Support, advice and guidance to managers and staff on all employment issues. Email: sath.hradvice@nhs.net
Coaching
SaTH ILM Coaches have undergone accredited training and can support you to use your own skills and resources to move forward with current issues and challenges.
Email: sath.coaching@nhs.net
Occupational Health (Optima Health)
A confidential advisory service to employers and employees on health issues relating to work and work issues relating to health.
For confidential, independent and unbiased information and guidance from a team of trained wellbeing and counselling practitioners. They can offer support and information on health and wellbeing, money worries, carers, consumer and legal, family and home and work and lifestyle.
Tel: 0800 047 8843
Web: https://sath.workplacewellbeing.com and https://sath.optimise.health (Please note: As of 31st January 2024, HELP will be replacing Care First).
Wellbeing offer, click here.
ISSUES RELATED TO WORK:
Staff Psychology Service
Confidential, highly specialist psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based intervention available for any member of staff within the trust. Email: Sath.staffpsychology@nhs.net
FOR PERSONAL ISSUES:
HELP (Employee Assistance Programme)
For confidential, independent and unbiased information and guidance from a team of trained wellbeing and counselling practitioners. Tel: 0800 047 8843 Web: https://sath.workplacewellbeing.com and https://sath.optimise.health
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL STAFF ONLY:
Phoenix Psychology
A confidential space to process the impact of work and personal experiences Clare.thompson@phoenixpsychology.com (use SaTH referral as the email subject)
Postgraduate Resident Doctors in training posts can also access support from the Professional Support and Wellbeing through NHSE (Midlands) Support for Nurses and Midwives
Mental Health First Aiders & Peer 2 Peer Listeners
Trained peer listeners available to provide confidential listening support and signposting.
Email: sath.staffpsychology@nhs.net
Freedom to Speak Up Guardians
Providing support and advice to those that want to raise concerns to ensure that any safety issue is addressed. Email: sath.ftsu@nhs.net
The Chaplaincy Team
Available for staff, visitors and patients of any faith, belief, or world view, providing listening support and signposting.
Email: Sath.chaplaincyteam@nhs.net
Tel: ext 3638 (RSH) / ext 4519 (PRH)
Well and Resilient Doctors (WARD)
Peer support and well-being service run by junior doctors for junior doctors. They are a signposting service that can refer you on for further help. Email: sath.ward@nhs.net
If you are unsure what help or support you might need please contact the Staff Psychology Service
It provides personalised wellbeing content tailored to your responses and has an extensive library of wellbeing information for you to access at any time, including videos, podcasts and Ted Talks. You can access it at https://sath.optimise.health.
HELP can be contacted on 0800 047 8843. Further information can be found at https://sath. workplacewellbeing.com or at https://sath.optimise.health.
Managing Stress
It is normal within the working environment and the working day to feel pressure. We are under pressure to do our job well to deliver on commitments, to meet deadlines and to cope with changing and challenging demands - we need a certain amount of pressure to energise and motivate us. It helps us get things done! However, when this pressure becomes more and more often, and begins to keep building to a level which is unmanageable, this is stress.
When you feel you are struggling and under pressure, it is important to raise this with your manager or speak to someone professionally trained. We are all here to help each other through these difficult times.
Helpful Coping Strategies:
• Make time for yourself for positive experiences
• Get enough rest
• Talk to someone
• Exercise and get some fresh air
• Keep hydrated
• Remember you are not alone
• Be KIND to yourself
Further resources can be found here.
For help with work-related stress, please click here.
Burnout
Stress is the impact of there being ‘too much’. Too many demands, too many changes, too much to do and too many decisions to make. Chronic stress has the potential of depleting your energy, undermining your belief in your own abilities and efficacy, and can lead to burnout.
Burnout, on the other hand is feeling there is just ‘not enough’. Not enough time, energy, enthusiasm, ability and not enough inner resource. It is commonly described as ‘being emotionally drained’, ‘feeling empty’ or ‘just not being able to be myself anymore’.
For those who are experiencing grief, please access the below if you need to do so:
• Staff Bereavement Support Cafes: Contact Jules Lewis Swan EOLC Facilitator / Lead Nurse & Staff Bereavement Support Lead Nurse on jules.lewis@nhs.net
Men’s support
• Men’s Wellness Walk: Hosted by Simon and Jordan, a chance to get outdoors, connect with others, and have meaningful conversations while getting some fresh air. Walking side by side makes it easier to open up, share thoughts, and simply enjoy the moment. Then back at the pub a FREE hot drink or a Discounted Pint. No need to book, just turn up at 10:15am.
Date: Last Sunday of every month
Location: Meet at the Cock Hotel, Wellington
Time: 10:30am-12:30pm
• Men’s Sheds: Men’s Sheds (or Sheds) are similar to garden sheds – a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. The difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite. They’re about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter.
Activities in Sheds vary greatly, but you can usually find woodworking, metalworking, repairing and restoring, electronics, model buildings or even car building in a typical Shed. Sheds typically attract older men, but many have younger members and women too. Whatever the activity, the essence of a Shed is not a building, but the connections and relationships between its members.
Shrewsbury Men’s Shed
Men’s Sheds Association | UKMSA
Newport Men’s Shed, Madeley, Telford
• Men’s Walking and Talking: Mental health walks, with the aim of bringing men together in a safe space to end the stigma around mens mental health by supporting each other. Initially started in 2021 by Dan Reid in Telford, and having only one attendee on the first walk, it has now grown to 30 walks across 16 counties. In 2022, Men Walking and Talking became a Community Interest Corporation (CIC) and in November of 2023 we became organisational members of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
Men’s Walking and Talking home page
Shropshire based groups
Healthy Lifestyle Support
Menopause
Did you know that menopausal women are the fastest growing population at work? Or that around 8 out of 10 menopausal women are in work?
Whilst some women sail through menopause, 3 out of 4 experience symptoms and as many as 1 in 4 have serious symptoms. However around half have never consulted a healthcare professional about their menopause.
Research also shows that the majority of women are unwilling to discuss menopause related health problems with their line managers, or ask for any support they may need.
Here at SaTH, we’re passionate about the wellbeing of our colleagues and that means talking about menopause openly.
Resources:
• Menopause Toolkit from SaTH
• Line Manager Support Guide from Henpicked
• Menopause Websites for Line Managers
• Menopause Support Programme for Staff
Scan the QR code to access the SaTH Menopause Toolkit
Andropause
Andropause is that time in a man’s life when physical and emotional changes occur, often affecting their mental health and wellbeing. This normally starts in the mid-40s early 50s. this can be a very challenging time, as men find it difficult to talk about their bodies. Research shows that 60% of men will not visit their GP, the two main reasons being,
1) They are embarrassed to discuss personal matters with anyone.
2) They have a fear of finding something seriously wrong.
The main differences between men and women are hormone production suddenly stops completely in all women. The hormone testosterone declines in a much slower process in Some men. This means that a healthy man can continue to produce sperm into their 80s or older.
Dr Robert Tan, who is a physician and medical director specialising in ageing men’s health issues including andropause. He is also the pioneer in testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). His clinical study showed the following symptoms as Andropause.
• Hair loss
• Shrinkage of the testicles
• Decreased libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Exhaustion
• Depression
• Decrease in muscle mass
• Decrease in bone density
• Oligospermia (low sperm count)
Also, heart palpitations, these are due to the decrease of the testosterone level. This is very normal for men struggling with andropause.
MEN ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO SEE THE GP IF THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS, AS THEY ARE THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS DIABETES.
One solution to the Andropause is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). This therapy is effective for relieving symptoms as it restores sex drive, health, potency, as well as a sense of renewed vitality, only when given at the correct dose. This can be used in various ways, injection, tablet, patches, gels, or implants.
Another way to help a man’s symptoms would be self-help. Exercise, stop smoking, limit alcohol intake, relax, and eat a healthy diet.
A good diet according to diet nutrition Clinic Be and Nutrition in Andropause Neolife, could help improve testosterone production, so try and include the following:
• Calcium – Helps with bone density and osteoporosis – low fat dairy, milk, yogurt, cheese, nuts, and green leafy vegetables
• Zinc – is the proper functioning of the reproductive organ and balance of certain hormones such as testosterone. – meats, oysters, seafoods, legumes, chicken liver, nuts, and dark chocolate.
• Omega 3 – helps regulate the heart function, so must be included in your diet, to prevent cardiovascular risk associated with andropause. – salmon, sardines, tuna, and liver
• Vitamin D – helps increase testosterone – fatty fish, meats, mushrooms, milk, eggs, and butter.
• Vitamin E – beneficial for testosterone production – extra virgin olive oil, avocado and nuts.
Foods to avoid according to diet nutrition Clinic Be and Nutrition in Andropause Neolife:
• Soy products – Such as Tofu, Soy milk and Miso - As they may cause a drop in testosterone levels. Soy foods are high in phytoestrogens, which are plant-based substances. These mimic the effects of oestrogen in your body by altering hormone levels and potentially reducing testosterone.
• Mint – Including spearmint and pepper mint – Some research suggests that mint could cause a dip hormone dips, particularly in testosterone.
• Liquorice Root – Has been shown to significantly decrease testosterone levels in both men and women.
• Vegetable oil – Is high in polyunsaturated fat, which has been associated with decreased testosterone in some studies.
• Flaxseed – Is high in lignans and omega 3 fatty acids, both of which have been associated with reduced testosterone levels.
• Processed food – Is high in trans fats, which have been shown to decrease testosterone levels and impair reproductive performance in both human and animal studies.
Helpful Websites
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/male-menopause/
• https://www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/andropause-a-turningpoint-for-men#:~:text=For%20some%20men%2C%20this%20decrease,lack%20of%20 energy
Slimming World
The Trust has joined forces with Slimming World to offer staff a 12 week referral scheme to their local Slimming World group.
There are 2 different membership schemes available for staff to choose from:
Group Membership:
Nothing is more effective than the friendship, trust, community spirit and the support of a slimming world group.
• Access to over 50 years of experience, expertise and science - helping millions of people to lose weight and stay slim
• Access to Slimming World’s Food Optimising Plan - enjoy delicious, satisfying and healthy meals
• The support of a friendly, highly trained Slimming World Group
• The warmth, understanding and community of a Slimming World Group
• Access to Slimming Worlds members- only website with over 1,400 recipes, meal plans and articles
• Access to Slimming Worlds members-only app
Digital Membership:
Lose Weight with Slimming World Online and get all the support you need at your fingertips.
• Access to over 50 years of experience, expertise and science - helping millions of people to lose weight and stay slim
• Access to Slimming World’s Food Optimising Plan - enjoy delicious, satisfying and healthy meals
• More than 1,400 delicious Slimming World recipes
• Tailored support and motivation based on your personal progress to help you through challenging times
• On-the-go- support with Slimming World App - including a quick start guide, food tracker and Slimming World barcode scanner
• A friendly support team - plus live events with inspirational simmers to motivate and inspire you on your journey
Eligibility Criteria:
• BMI has to be over 25 at start of programme
• Must lose at least 7lbs in 12 weeks
• Loosing 7lbs will not adversely affect health (BMI below 18)
• Must be able to commit to 12 consecutive weeks - has to be completed in 14 weeks of joining
Cost:
The Trust have agreed to cover the full cost of the 12 week referral scheme vouchers
During a referral, members can:
• Swap and change between any Slimming World groups to suit their needs
• Have up to 2 weeks’ absence for sickness or holidays. They would just need to book this in with their Slimming World Consultant before the group they miss and these weeks would be added back on to the end of their referral
How do I get a voucher?
If you are interested in joining a Slimming World membership, please email sath. ahealthieryou@nhs.net.
Obesity Information and Support
Managing a complex issue like obesity can be hard. Losing weight takes time and commitment. We have created a booklet to provide guidance, encouragement and advice about how to manage your weight, build healthy lifestyle habits and maintain weight loss achieved.
You can view the booklet here
Scan the QR code to view the full Health & Wellbeing offer
Staff Health Checks
To support the wellbeing of our staff, the Trust are partnering with Nuffield Health to offer Free Health Checks. The Nuffield Health Checks will cover:
• Height
• Weight
• Blood Pressure
• Glucose Levels
Nuffield clinicians will also be onsite to discuss health inequalities such as obesity, diabetes, COPD and asthma, and how staff can receive the relevant support for themselves or others around them. The Health Checks will take 1015 minutes. There is no need to book a slot, just turn up. For more information, contact sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net
Nuffield will be on site on the following dates:
Date and Time Site Venue
05/02/2025 9.30am-1.30pm
18/02/2025 9am-1pm
06/03/2025 12pm-4pm
25/03/2025
10.30am-12.30pm
RSH
PRH
RSH
PRH
Improvement Hub, Mytton Oak Restaurant
Room B, Education Centre
Improvement Hub, Mytton Oak Restaurant
Room B, Education Centre
Weight management – beyond diet and exercise
Dates: 6th March 2025, 9.30am – 3pm, Room G, Education Centre, PRH
8th May 2025, 9.30am – 3pm, Room 11, SERRI, RSH
• The reasons for eating – physical, social, psychological
• Understanding hunger and cravings
• Sleep and eating especially around shift workers
• Introduction to appetite retraining
• Emotional eating
• Food choices and portion sizes
Open to all sta . Spaces are limited. To book on click here.
Support with Alcohol Consumption
There can be many reasons why people might use alcohol as a way of coping. For instance, if you are feeling high levels of stress or struggling to cope at work, then alcohol may temporarily block some of those feelings. Unfortunately, this is not a long-term solution, as the situation causing those feelings is unresolved. If you, or anyone you work with, is experiencing this please be aware that support is available from the Staff Psychology Service to help you cope with any feelings or distress caused by work. You can contact us on: sath. staffpsychology@nhs.net and someone will be in contact with you.
You may also wish to access some practical support from the Trust’s Alcohol Liaison team. This is a confidential service so staff can be reassured that any conversations will not go further unless agreed upon or if any welfare concerns arise. For further information please contact:
Join us on the last Tuesday of every month outside Stretton House, RSH at 12pm for a 30 minute walk and talk.
No reason needed! We re here to offer a listening ear and kindness Get out into nature and boost your health & wellbeing All are welcome
For more information, please contact jules lewis@nhs net, carla webster@nhs net or penny watson@nhs net
TALK TALK
Join us on the last Tuesday of March and April outside Women and Children’s, PRH at 12pm for a 30 minute walk and talk.
No reason needed! We’re here to offer a listening ear and kindness Get out into nature and boost your health & wellbeing All are welcome
Yoga and Pilates
For more information, please contact karen sargent4@nhs net, k dimmock1@nhs net or k cockerton@nhs net
Join Jules Lewis, Carla Webster and Penny Watson on the last Tuesday of every month outside Stretton House, RSH at 12pm for a 30 minute walk and talk.
For more information, please contact jules.lewis@nhs.net, carla.webster@nhs.net or penny.watson@nhs.net.
PRH
Join Karen Sargent on the last Tuesday of every month outside Women and Children’s, PRH at 12pm for a 30 minute walk and talk.
For more information, please contact karen.sargent4@nhs. net
Pilates classes for staff are available at SERII each week, please email sath.ahealthieryou@nhs. net for availability and further details. Limited space available.
Yoga classes are available for staff in SERII each week, please email catherine.ocallaghan1@ nhs.net for availability and further details. Limited space available.
Long COVID Support
There appears to be a stigma attached to long COVID still and not all colleagues want to speak openly about their experience, which is why we are keen to provide a robust package of support. It is important that colleagues with long COVID feel able to speak about their experiences and that we all take the time to learn about this new condition.
Many staff are reporting that prior to becoming unwell with long COVID they never had any absence from work for sickness reasons and as a result feel too guilty to ask for rest time and request flexible working. Many managers are unaware or not fully sighted on the long COVID condition and how it presents itself. It doesn’t help that the symptoms can differ from person to person and day to day.
Resources and Support:
• Long COVID Information Booklet for Colleagues and Managers
• Supporting recovery after long COVID - NHS Employers
- Support staff at work with long COVID
- Support staff absent from work due to long COVID
- Working with Occupational Health team
- Facilitating a safe return to work
- Phased return
• Long COVID evidence resources
• Long COVID group - video
Scan the QR code to access the Long COVID Information Booklet
Your Pension and the Public Service Remedy:
Monday, 13 January 2025 10:00 11:30 Online - MS Teams
Tuesday, 11 March 2025 13:00 14:30 Online - MS Teams
Monday, 12 May 2025 09:30 11:00 Online - MS Teams
Thursday, 10 July 2025 13:00 14:30 Online - MS Teams
Friday, 12 September 2025 10:00 11:30 Online - MS Teams
Tuesday, 18 November 2025 13:00 14:30 Online - MS Teams
Understanding Pension Tax Allowance:
Tuesday, 29 April 2025 10:00 11:30 Online - MS Teams
Wednesday, 15 October 2025 13:00 14:30 Online - MS Teams
Your Financial Wellbeing - 1.5 hours
Designed to provide an understanding of how company benefits could be used to improve financial wellbeing and to create good money management skills and saving habits. Topics range from general money management, managing debt and improving credit scores, through to saving for the short, medium, and long-term and how to plan for retirement.
Retirement Course - 2.5 hours
Aimed at those who are still several years away from retirement to check that they are on track. The course covers areas such as tax efficiency, planning for retirement and understanding income options, maximising pension benefits and other savings, tax planning and how to seek further guidance and regulated financial advice.
Understanding your Pension Changes - 1.5 hours
This provides NHS employees with an overview of the key pension changes, retire and return options and the public sector age discrimination ruling, referred to as the McCloud remedy.
Understanding your Pension Tax Allowances - 1.5 hour
Designed to provide an overview of the key issues relating to the Annual Allowance to maximise available tax relief and avoid additional tax changes. Date
The products are stored in the ladies toilet at the Education Centre at PRH and the ladies toilet in SERII at RSH. They are also available in the unisex toilets at both RSH and PRH by the Chaplains Office
Colleagues please go and help yourself to them if you are in need
For further information, please contact sath.ahealthieryou@nhs.net
Wellbeing Conversations
Health and Wellbeing conversations are regular and supportive one to one conversations focussed on looking after the wellbeing of all our staff and we encourage managers, teams and departments to introduce these into working life. The aim of these conversations is to hold a confidential discussion around an individual’s whole wellbeing including physical, mental, emotional, financial and lifestyle and to identify areas where an individual may need support, signposting or regular check ins on their wellbeing and to create a wellbeing action plan. In most cases, a health and wellbeing conversation will be held by a line manager or supervisor, but in some instances colleagues may feel more comfortable talking to another trusted colleague about their wellbeing.
Resources and Support:
• Wellbeing Wheel
• Wellbeing Action Plan
• Guidance for Managers
• What is a Wellbeing conversation?
Health & Wellbeing Conversations
Masterclasses (Via Teams)
• 17 September 11am – 12.15pm
• 23 September 1pm – 2.15pm
• 3 October 3pm – 4.15pm
Masterclasses bookable via LMS
This session will aim to provide an overview of the importance of Health and Wellbeing Conversations which in turn will enable you to confidently have safe and effective wellbeing conversations with the people you support.
The health and wellbeing of our colleagues links to engagement, absence, performance and ultimately has a direct correlation to patient care and advocacy. Happy colleagues, happy patients.
We will explore what a health and wellbeing conversation is. The importance. How to approach and share Wellbeing Plan to help contribute towards a safe and effective conversation.
This is a valuable session for any colleague who might offer wellbeing support to a colleague.
Health & Wellbeing Conversations – Half Day Training (Face to Face)
• 27 February 9.30am – 1pm SERII
• 6 March 9.30am – 1pm SERII
• Note: PRH date in March TBC
Training bookable via LMS
This session will aim to cover the importance of Health and Wellbeing Conversations within the Trust. Join us in person and explore together the skills required to enable you to effectively checkin with your staff members and team colleagues.
We will explore what a health and wellbeing conversation is and the importance of conducting such a check-in within your working areas. How to open up the conversations in a safe and sensitive manner. Experience the Wellbeing Plan as a resource tool to use to support the conversation creating safety and understanding.
The health and wellbeing of our colleagues links to engagement, absence, performance and ultimately has a direct correlation to patient care and advocacy. Happy colleagues, happy patients.
This is a valuable session for any colleague who might offer wellbeing support to a colleague.
National and Local Support Groups
For anyone in Crisis.
UK’s first 24/7 text service. Free on all major networks and confidential.
Counselling Services
Suicide
Anyone considered imminently at risk of suicide or harm, call 999.
SHOUT
www.giveusashout.org
Text Shout to 85258 (Crisis Text Line)
Pick Up The Phone You Are Not Alone https://shropshire.gov.uk/media/13319/pick-upthephone-you-are-not-alone.pdf
Shropshire Sanctuary
Telephone: 0300 124 0365
Email: manager.shropshiremind@gmail.com
Open Monday to Thursday 1700hrs till 0900hrs, Friday
0900hrs till 1100hrs, Saturday 1500hrs till 1100hrs, Sunday 1500hrs till 0900hrs.
(Covers Anger, Anxiety and panic attacks, Bipolar, Body Dysmorphia, Borderline Personality disorder, Depression, Drugs, Eating disorders, OCD, Paranoia, Hearing voices, PTSD, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, SAD, Self-Harm, Suicidal Feelings)
Talk to Frank 01743 294 700
Info@shropshirerecovery.com www.talktofrank.com
Telford Stars
0300 456 4291
Website: www.telfordstars.org
Impact
Email: info@impactaas.co.uk 01952 223165
Website: https://www.impactaas.co.uk/
Mind
0300 123 3393
Info@mind.org.uk
Text: 86463
Shropshire Mind
www.shropshiremind.org/ or 01743 368647
Email: manager.shropshiremind@gmail.com
Daytime service: Monday to Friday 0900 till 1700hrs, Saturday and Sunday 1100hrs till 1500hrs. Outreach support: Monday to Friday 0900hrs till 1700hrs.
Calmer Café by Shropshire Mind: Open in Shrewsbury Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 1800hrs until 2200hrs - people must telephone to indicate they are going to attend, to keep numbers to a safe level.
Shropshire IAPT
0300 123 6020
iaptshropshire@nhs.net
Telford Primary Care Wellbeing Service 01952 457 415
Wellbeing.telford@mpft.nhs.uk
Nurselifeline
Support for Nurses, Midwives, Nursing Associates, HCA’s, Students in these professions and their friends and family members.
Oswestry based charity serving the needs of the local community. Support available with;
• Shopping and delivery
• Coordination of transport to medical appointments
• Telephone befriending
• Arts resources for things for people to do at home
The Hive https://www.hiveonline.org.uk/hive-hug
Supported Employment Enable
Telephone: 01743 276900
https://enableservices.co.uk/
A specialist mental health employment service working directly with both jobseekers and employers to find the right job for the right person.
Landau
Telephone: 01952 245 015
www.landau.co.uk
A supported employment and training charity providing routes to employment, access to learning and support for personal growth. Accessible via self-referral or referrals from other practitioners.
