Staff Health & Wellbeing

Addiction

Substance misuse and gambling support - Recognising the increasing pressures on NHS staff, people.nhs.uk have put together a range of information on substance misuse and gambling support available through a number of organisations.

Families Anonymous  - A telephone helpline and other support services for the families and friends of drug users. Support groups are available throughout the UK. Helpline: 020 7498 4680

Open Road  (Basildon and Chelmsford) - Open Road provides services to support individuals on their journey to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Stars (Southend) - CGL Southend provides help and advice as well as structured interventions for individuals over the age of 18 who have issues with substance misuse in a friendly, supportive, non-judgemental setting.

Alcohol

Alcoholics Anonymous - Alcoholics Anonymous hold meetings at venues across Essex. A meeting is held within the Medical Academic Unit at Broomfield Hospital every Thursday evening (20:00 – 21:30).
Helpline: 0800 9177 650
Email: help@aamail.org  

Alcohol Change UK - Providing general information and resources about alcohol and can put you in touch with your nearest alcohol advice centre.

Drink Aware   - Free online chat and confidential lines for anyone who is looking for information or advice about their own, or someone else’s drinking.

Essex Wellbeing Service – Support service with an online assessment to guide you to specific support. Email: provide.essexwellbeing@nhs.net

Try Dry: the app to help you cut down | Alcohol Change UK – a free app designed by Alcohol Change to help people get control of their drinking

Unit calculator  - An online tool for working out your average weekly unit intake

Bereavement

PaNDAS (PND Awareness & Support) – PANDAS is a community offering peer-to-peer support for you, your family and your network.

Sands - Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it. Helpline:  Freephone 0808 164 3332

Saying Goodbye - The Saying Goodbye Services are the first international set of remembrance services for people who have lost a child at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, whether the loss be recent or 80 years ago. In addition, anyone who has been through fertility treatment or who has never been able to have children for whatever reason, is most welcome. Contact: 0845 293 8027

The Miscarriage Association - We know that miscarriage can be a very unhappy, frightening and lonely experience. If you have been affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy, whether recently or long ago, we hope that you will find here support, information and comfort. Helpline: 01924 200 799

Hospice UK  - In need of extra support concerning bereavement or loss during COVID-19? Hospice UK is on hand to support.

Call: 0300 303 4434 (Mon-Sun, 07:00-23:00)

Hospice UK (dedicated support line for our Filipino colleagues) - A team of fully qualified and trained professionals, all of whom are Tagalog speakers, ready to help you at our NHS Bereavement & Trauma Line for Filipino Staff.

Call: 0300 303 1115 (Mon-Sun, 08:00-20:00)

St. Luke’s Hospice (Grays, Basildon, Corringham & Billericay) - A local charity providing compassionate care to people whose illnesses are no longer curable. They also will provide high quality, expert, safe care, which is compassionate, holistic, inclusive and respectful at all times and in all care settings

Call: 01268 524973

Farleigh Hospice (Mid-Essex) – Farleigh Hospice provides hospice care to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across mid Essex

Email: info@farleighhospice.org

Call: 01245 457300

Cruse – Specialist bereavement experts have experience in all types of loss and can offer support however and whenever the death occurred.

Call: 0845 2669710

Email: essex@cruse.org.uk

NHS  - Overview on bereavement with feelings, symptoms and behaviours as well as bereavement support.

NHS People - Bereavement Practices - NHS England and NHS Improvement have put together a document on 'understanding different bereavement practices and how our colleagues may experience grief'.

 

Carers' support

If you are caring for someone, who is caring for you? An opportunity for emotional support but also for information, guidance and advice around caring duties.

Thurrock Carers Support - Thurrock Carers Service can provide information, advice and support for unpaid carers who support relatives, friends or neighbours who would find it difficult to manage without their help.

Essex County Residents - Supporting Essex residents who are unpaid carers with emotional support, financial support and much more.

NHS website - Information and guidance on being an unpaid carer and support options available

Carers Direct - Carers Direct support line (0300 123 1053); webchat option available here; Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm and weekends, 11am to 4pm; support by email

Citizens Advice Bureau – Information resources for those with caring responsibilities,

E-LfH Hub – Supporting Unpaid Carers provides information and e-learning to those who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend due to their disability, health condition, frailty, mental health problem, or other health and care needs.

Counselling

CIC (MSE) - An independent, free and confidential advice service offering practical and emotional support for staff experiencing either work or personal issues. Available at Basildon, Southend and now Broomfield!

Wellonline: Basildon – btuhlogin / Broomfiled – brnlogin / Southend – southend

Password - wellbeing

Call: 0800 085 1376 (24/7)

Email: assist@cic-eap.co.uk

Psychological Therapies Service (Broomfield) - A confidential self-referral service available to staff experiencing stress inside and outside work. Call: 01245 514838 (Mon-Fri, 08:00-16:00)

Macmillan Counselling Service – Macmillan offer staff a range of support such as; one-off debriefs after a challenging event at work; supervision for cancer specialists and end of life staff; mindfulness meditation sessions held in the Sanctuary or Library. Contact Donna Pieper for up to date information on these sessions and many more.

COVID-19

Government Guidelines - Official Government Covid information and guidance, with frequent updates.

• Travel advice
• Isolation information
• Work and financial support during Covid
• Vaccination information

British Lung Foundation - Long COVID is used to describe signs and symptoms that last for longer than 4 weeks after getting COVID-19. British Lung Foundation explains in more detail what Long COVID is the common symptom and when you might feel back to normal.

YourCovidRecovery - As you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind. Your COVID Recovery helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.

Long-Covid guidance for employers - Practical guidance for managers and employers. A toolkit is available for download which includes guidance on understanding the symptoms of long-COVID and its impacts on staff returning to work, occupational health principles to support a return to work as well as advice on adjustments that can be put in place to facilitate staff return.

Crisis

Mental Health affects all of us and it’s important that we know what to do when presented with causes for concern.

High risk / crisis

Attend A&E or call 111, option 2 which will connect you to the local mental health crisis team.

Moderate to severe risk

Speaking to someone can help to navigate your thoughts and emotions. Call EPUT on 0344 257 3960 (24/7) / Email: hereforyou@nhs.net 

EPUT - Here for You - Whether you need to talk to somebody, seek advice on where to find specific resources, receive counselling, attend a group session or organise a team debrief from a particular situation, we are here for you.
Call 0344 257 3960 (24/7)  or email hereforyou@nhs.net 

Cycle to work

How the bike scheme works; Sign up to the Vivup employee portal (https://www.vivupbenefits.co.uk/) and once logged in click on ‘Cycle to Work’ and then ‘Browse Products’ to view bike models and accessories to order from the online catalogue. Once you have selected a bike model you’d like click ‘Add to Order’ to add this to your basket. You will then need to enter your order details including delivery address, and this address must match the details held by the Trust for you. Once you have completed your order details hit ‘Submit’, and your order will go to the relevant team at the Trust for approval and authorisation. 

A member of the Vivup Customer Support team will contact you prior to the end of your 12 month deductions to discuss the three end of scheme options; extension of the hire period, transfer of ownership immediately, or disposal of the bike. For more information, email sustainability.

Diet and Nutrition

Easy Meals - An app that gives easy calorie counted recipes and meal ideas; saves recipes; offers information on healthier choices and provides a shopping list feature to help the user keep track of what they need by emailing ingredients and saving shopping lists.

Live Well - NHS – NHS offer a wide range of support on eating well, with recipes and tips to keep you motivated as you eat well.

British Nutrition Foundation – Information to support you in achieving a healthy, balanced diet with useful resources to help you make informed choices.

FutureLearn Healthy Cooking with BBC Good Food - Learn how to create nutritious meals and master 5 healthy recipes in 5 weeks through this interactive online learning platform.

Disability Support

Access to work – Gov.UK website supports and sources of funding to assist for anyone in work with a disability or health (physical and mental) condition.

Scope - Resources, helplines and web chat services offering information, advice and guidance on a range of issues affecting individuals with a disability.

REMPLOY - the UK’s leading disability specialist, with more than 70 years of experience delivering employment and skills support.

The Shaw Trust – The Shaw Trust are a social purpose organisation challenging inequality and breaking down barriers to enable social mobility. They offer a range of information to help you and your family with a disability support.

Disability network group – Giving a voice to people who identify as having a disability (physical and mental) to help foster good practice and promote positive change across the trust. See Inclusion and Diversity section under I.

Domestic Abuse

EDAPP service - Offering confidential advice and support about domestic abuse issues to patients and staff. Contact EDAPP workers EXT 1417 or Zoe – 07880 036156 / Sally – 07773 088929

National Help Line – Support for women who are experiencing domestic abuse. Call 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night. The staff will offer confidential, non-judgmental information and support.

Mens Advice Line - The Helpline for male victims of domestic abuse. Call 0808 8010 327 (Monday and Wednesday, 9am to 8pm, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm) for non-judgmental information and support.

Essex Compass - COMPASS is a single point of access funded by Essex County Council in partnership with the Office of Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to support victims of domestic abuse across Southend, Essex and Thurrock. Essex Domestic Abuse Helpline: 03303 337 444 available from 8 am to 8 pm weekdays and 8 am to 1 pm weekends. Messages will be responded to within 24hrs.

Bright Sky – App - Bright Sky is a free to download mobile app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.

Eating Disorders

BEAT  – UK’s leading eating disorder charity providing one to one, group and online support for young people, adults and their families.

Mind  – Learn about eating disorders, including possible causes, symptoms and how to access treatment and support. Includes self-care tips for helping yourself, plus guidance for friends and family.

NHS - Overview on eating disorders with resources and support groups.

Provide – host a range of virtual workshops and seminars. Topics include:

• Stress Workshops
• Lunch & Learn
• Lifestyle Checks
• 6 weeks to healthy eating
•  And many more

Events

Health & Wellbeing Events – The staff Health & Wellbeing team support wellbeing events throughout the year.

NHS England - NHS England offer a range of events on all topics for NHS employers

Improvement Club - Improvement clubs, run by the Improvement team, take place on the first Wednesday of every month at five o'clock and we’re using a platform which means that all staff who want to, can join. Add this event to your calendar.

Here For You - EPUT, Here For You service are offering a range of webinars covering a variety of topics including stress, sleep and relaxation, as well as worry and anxiety, mindfulness and bereavement. These webinars provide educational and practical help to support you to learn relevant Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to make positive change in your life.

Family Support

Place 2 Be  - Offering webinars and other resources to support working parents in the NHS.

City Parents  - This programme consists of positive and practical support for working parents, delivered through expert-led webinars/seminars, advice, peer insights, online articles, blogs and podcasts.

Kidscape  – Provides children, families, carers and professionals with advice, training and practical tools to prevent bullying and protect young lives.

YoungMinds  – Provides information on different types of mental health issues and how to access support for young people.

PaNDAS (PND Awareness & Support) – PANDAS is a community offering peer-to-peer support for you, your family and your network.

Sands - Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it. Helpline:  Freephone 0808 164 3332

Saying Goodbye - The Saying Goodbye Services are the first international set of remembrance services for people who have lost a child at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, whether the loss be recent or 80 years ago. In addition, anyone who has been through fertility treatment or who has never been able to have children for whatever reason, is most welcome. Contact: 0845 293 8027

The Miscarriage Association - We know that miscarriage can be a very unhappy, frightening and lonely experience. If you have been affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy, whether recently or long ago, we hope that you will find here support, information and comfort. Helpline: 01924 200 799.

 

Financial Support

Money Advice Service - Offering free and impartial financial advice for NHS staff.

Call: 0800 448 0826 (Mon-Fri, 08:00-18:00)

Whatsapp: 07701342744

MoneyHelper - Offering free and impartial help with money and pensions. Working alongside Money Advice Service, The Pension Advisory Service and Pension Wise, to support you.

National Debtline - We are open and ready to help you.

Webchat with an adviser, Monday to Friday 9am - 8pm and Saturday 9:30 am - 1pm. This is the fastest way to speak to a specialist adviser / Email us for advice. 

Money Saving Expert – A range of support and resources to help you save money. OpenLearn have worked with Money Saving Expert for a free training course in supporting you with finances - https://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-business/mses-academy-money/content-section-overview?active-tab=content-tab

Unison - If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whether due to coronavirus or other circumstances, There for You can offer you support, including one-off grants. As well as the above, Unison offers a range of support for financial advice.

 

Fitness

Couch to 5K - A week-by-week description of the 9-week set of Couch to 5K podcasts. Each week involves 3 runs.

NHS – Live Well - Illustrated guides are designed to help make your workouts effective and easy to follow. Created with busy people in mind, these routines can be done anywhere, at any time. Many of these routines count towards your recommended 150 minutes a week of exercise and muscle strengthening activity.

Local Gyms- List of gyms across Mid and South Essex and the current discounts being offered.

Local Swimming Pools - List of local swimming pools across Mid and South Essex. 

Virtual walking clips – Selection of virtual walking/running scenes to enjoy whilst walking indoors

Keep Essex Active – A series of free, online home workouts that cater to a range of ability levels. Sessions include gentle chair-based yoga, pilates, swing dance, strength and stretch, aerobics and much more.

Active Essex – Active Essex have created a ‘Find your active’ inativitve to help you find the best way for you to keep active and enjoy staying active.

NHS Fitness Youtube Videos - Free introductory-level workout videos that have been created in collaboration fitness experts at instructor live ranging from 10 – 45 minutes.

Movement for Modern Life - Movement for Modern Life is a British online yoga platform that brings together world class yoga teachers, inspired movement and mindfulness into your home or a place of comfort. They have now extended their free offer and are offering free access to NHS staff until the 30 September 2021 by signing up with their NHS email address.

British Wheel of Yoga – Website designed to get you in touch with local Yoga classes through their search section.

Fitness Clubs - Are you interested in setting up a fitness club? We are keen to support fitness clubs across MSE, so if you have an interest in running, hiking, swimming or more, please do get in touch - mse.healthymeatmse@nhs.net 

The Guardian Service - An external, independent and fully confidential service for staff to discuss matters relating to any work-related concern: from bullying and harassment, disrespect and incivility or poor working practices, to matters of patient or staff safety. Call 0333 230 9299 (24/7) or email: contact@theguardianservice.co.uk

Southend – Jacquie Pamphilon - jacquie.p@theguardianservice.co.uk
Basildon - Patricia Simmons - patricia.simmons1@nhs.net
Broomfield - Paul Mancktelow - paul.m@theguardianservice.co.uk

Health Conditions

MyMHealth - A New free health app that can help manage health conditions such as COPD, asthma or diabetes. To find out more, get in touch with Digital Health Adviser Rebecca Carvell or visit mymhealth.com. 

Apps include - MyCOPD, MyAsthma and Mydiabetes.

To set up an account, visit https://zfrmz.com/u2reejyuZkRCTp9oXNjw. 

NHS - A-Z of health conditions, with indivdual overviews of each health condition listed.

Helplines

Essex Partnership and University Trust (EPUT) - EPUT have launched a new psychological support service available to anyone struggling with the impact of the pandemic. It has been set up to support all staff, clinical and non-clinical, whether you are frontline or not.

Call: 0344 257 3960 (24/7)

Samaritans UK - A confidential support line for NHS workers and volunteers, offering support to anyone in distress, not just those in crisis.
Call: 0300 131 7000 (Mon-Sun, 07:00-23:00) / Text: 'FRONTLINE' TO 85258 (24/7)

CiC - An independent, free and confidential advice service offering practical and emotional support for staff experiencing work or personal issues. Support varies from counselling to financial and legal advice.

Call: 0800 085 1376 (24/7) / Email: assist@cic-eap.co.uk

Wellonline: Basildon – btuhlogin / Broomfield – brnlogin / Southend – southend (Password – wellbeing)

CALM - Anyone can hit crisis point. CALM runs a free and confidential helpline and webchat – 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems. CALM supports those bereaved by suicide, through the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP). For people in the UK who need to talk or find information and support.

365 days a year (17:00-00:00) Call: 0800 58 58 58

SANEline is a national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers via their helpline, text service and online Support Forum where people share their feelings and experiences.

If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else:

7 days a week (16:30-22:30) Call: 0300 304 7000 / email: support@sane.org.uk

Housing Support

Swan Housing - NHS Key Worker Living initiative, providing affordable rented accommodation to key workers in emergency and public sector within Essex area.

Living Well Essex - Links to all local authority housing related services across the country.

Local Council Support - Local council advice on homelessness, access to emergency housing and further sources of support. Essex County Council, Southend-On-Sea Borough Council & Thurrock Council.

Peabody Outreach support - Free, confidential support service for anyone aged over 16 who is experience problems impacting on their health, financial and housing wellbeing.

Inclusion and Diversity

Disability Passport – The Disability and Mental Health Network Group are proud to launch the Disability Passport. The MSEAbility Passport is to support an employee with a health condition, disability or learning difference and their manager to have a discussion about (1) specific ways the condition affects how they do their job (2) what are the reasonable adjustments (3) priority and time-frame to make adjustments.

Rethink - Things like fear, stigma and lack of culturally sensitive treatment can act as barriers to accessing mental health care for people from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background. Support is available if you’re having mental health issues. 

Diversity Network Groups - Consists of Trust employees who self-identify with the same single diversity dimension. Groups include Ethnic Minorities, LGBT+, Disability, Gender Equality and Armed Forces and their Families and Faith and Belief.

The groups voluntarily come together with the intent of enhancing diversity and inclusion with purposes and activities that further the Trust's objectives, values and interests. To find out more information, please contact denise.thomas12@nhs.net or avijit.avi@nhs.net.

Black Mind Matters – Supporting Black individuals and families with free mental health services - by professional Black therapists to support their mental health. To make this happen, they remove the stigma and remodel the services to be relevant for the Black community.

LGBTQ+ - See section under L.

Learning Opportunities

Future Learn - Learn 100% online with world class universities and industry experts. Develop hobbies, new skills and career-changing expertise with our flexible courses. Courses on Mindfulness & Wellbeing to support staff and managers.

#LookingAfterYouToo - An individual coaching support offer for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic staff working in the NHS. This individually tailored coaching support will focus on proactively supporting you to process experiences, offload the demands of whatever you are experiencing, deal with difficult conversations, develop coping skills and be supported in developing practical strategies. For more information, please contact avijit.avi@nhs.net.

MHFAider Training - A member of staff who is available to provide support to colleagues experiencing emotional or mental health distress. To provide reassurance, promote and support the safety of the individual, and to signpost to professional help and support. We are building a network of MSE MHFAiders. Are you interested in becoming an MSE MHFAider? Get in touch at mse.healthymeatmse@nhs.net

Essex ACL – Offering a space to explore new ways to improve your wellbeing and gain valuable tools to help you navigate your daily life. The courses help you to understand the effects of nutrition on your wellbeing, manage anxiety, learn techniques on mindful thinking, and will guide you on your journey of personal development.

Our NHS People - Bitesize Learning - Develop new skills and discover new ways to improve your experience of work with short guides developed by experts. 

Lifestyle Support

Provide - A variety of lifestyle support services including 20 minute lifestyle checks, healthy eating courses, stress workshops and more. Make sure to add 'Nicole Crouch' as your Workplace Health Champion

Live Life Connected - The Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership is launching a new free personal development platform that is open to staff across the partnership, your family, and friends. Live Life Connected gives your access to 12 personal development zones via a dedicated app and online platform called Kajabi. This includes short videos to watch with quick and simple reflection exercises to participate in. The opportunity to join the BAND community app to share your progress with other people who are taking part in Live Life Connected.

Everyone Health (Southend) - A wellbeing service delivered by experienced specialist practitioners from Everyone Health.

NHS Live Well - A range of lifestyle support from mental wellbeing to quitting smoking.

LGBTQ+

LGBT Switchboard – A helpline that provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people – and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity.

LGBT Foundation – LGBT Foundation provide a wide range of support services to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. They also work with healthcare and other professionals to help make public services more accessible and inclusive for LGBT communities.

Gendered Intelligence – Gendered Intelligence is a trans led charity who work with the trans community and those who impact on trans lives; they particularly specialise in supporting young trans people aged 8-25.

Stonewall - Information and support for LGBT communities and their allies. Contact Stonewell’s Information Service FREEPHONE 08000 502020 Lines are open 9:30 - 4:30 Monday to Friday.

Diversity Network Group - See section under I.

Managers’ Support

Support for Leaders - People NHS - To help you lead your team compassionately and inclusively during these extraordinary times with an online suite of leadership support offers.

Health & Wellbeing Conversations - People NHS - Encouraging managers and leaders to facilitate health and wellbeing conversations which are supportive, coaching-style one-to-one discussions focused on building individual and team resilience.

Leadership Coaching – People NHS - Free, confidential, 1-2-1 coaching or mentoring support sessions giving our leaders an understanding of crisis leadership that goes beyond what is necessary through Covid19.

#ProjectM - A place and space for team leaders and managers to connect, share and learn together. Through your feedback, contributions and emerging themes we will be releasing new content led by you, for you.

Executive Suite - A comprehensive suite of supportive offers and resources for senior and executive leaders in health and care. They are designed to support you to remain a resilient leader, continue to thrive in your role, and set cultures that value the importance of health and wellbeing.  

Managing better getting essentials right - This new skill-based programme will help you to become more effective as a manager, whether you want some refresher training or are new in post. Lots of things have changed since we became a new Trust in April last year. This new programme forms the basis of ‘The MSE Way’, the way we do things around here and our approach to all things MSE.

Men's Health

The Men’s Health Forum – Support for men with FAQs to blogs relating to a range of topics.

CoppaFeel! - Raising awareness of Breast Cancer in Men as well as Women.

The Mental Health Foundation – Mental Health Foundation have put together an explanation to why men don’t feel comfortable speaking about mental health. They have included ways to speak to someone and useful support services.

Movember – Movember is dedicated to support Men through their life not just through the month of November. Information and resources to support men through physical and mental health.

NHS Men’s Health Questions Answered – NHS answers the most common Men’s Health questions.

Mental Health

Able Futures - Self-referral page for 9-months of individual mental health support

Mental Health At Work - Paying attention to workplace mental health has never been more important. Mental Health at Work is here to help you find what you need. Things have changed again, and they continue to be difficult. We're here to support you. If you're worried about coronavirus, maybe we can help.

Mind  - Guides and resources that explain what mental health problems are what may cause them, and the many different kinds of help, treatment and support available. Guidance on support for friends and family.

Every Mind Matters - Answer the 5 questions in this interactive quiz to get top tips and advice for you.

Reading Well - Provides helpful information and support for managing common mental health conditions, or dealing with difficult feelings and experiences. Some books also include personal stories from people who are living with or caring for someone with mental health needs.

To speak to someone in relation to mental health either see peer-to-peer support section or helplines section.

Suicide Prevention - Many people might assume suicide is linked to a mental health problem but this is not always the case. Preventing suicide can be as much a societal or cultural issue as it is a medical one. This course is designed to help all

#TalkSuicideEssex - The #talksuicideessex campaign has been created by the Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership to reduce the stigma around talking about suicide and raise awareness of suicide prevention training available FREE to ALL from the Zero Suicide Alliance.

Veterans Combat Stress - Veterans Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans. They offer free, confidential 24-hour support to Service and ex-Service personnel who are experiencing mental health issues, including feeling suicidal. Tel: 0800 138 1619

Mindfulness

Health Education England – A range of uplifting resources for the NHS from the NHS

Mind - Provides information on mindfulness, how to practice it and how it can help with mental health problems.

Mindfulness sessions - Basildon Library, 13:30-14:00; contact Donna Pieper for further details.

Menopause

NHS – Information on what menopause is, the symptoms and treatments and a general overview for managing menopause.

NHS – ‘Male Menopause’ – Overview of what the Male Menopause is and what it involves.

NICE Guidelines on Menopause

Henpicked - Managing your menopause resources.

Menopause Support – Menopause Support provides information and resources on menopause as well as support groups.

My Menopause doctor - Perimenopause and Menopause support with a wealth of personalised information, expert advice and many more helpful tools.

Pausitivity – Support pack to help women understand what may be happening to their body and mind during menopause.

If you need any information or have any questions, please email mse.menopausesupport@nhs.net.

Occupational Health

Assessing staff fitness for work and identifying risks using evidence based guidance. Includes advising adjustments for staff with high risk health conditions, pre-employment checks and workplace COVID related concerns.

Basildon: occhealth@btuh.nhs.uk / 01268 524900, ext 3591 
Southend: occupational.health@southend.nhs.uk / 01702 385544 
Broomfield: occupationalhealth@meht.nhs.uk / 01245 514089

Offers & Discounts

Local and national discounts from NHS Employers & England NHS.

Pastoral Care

The Chaplaincy is a multi-faith team that provides emotional, pastoral, cultural, ethical, spiritual and religious support, irrespective of religious belief. Find their contact details on our Chaplaincy page.

Peer-to-Peer Support

You Okay, Doc? - The mission is to change the perceptions of mental health for those working in the medical sector and to develop bespoke mental health support for doctors. With a range of topics and open discussions about doctors mental and physical wellbeing in a new podcast.

Nurselife - Whether you are a nurse, midwife or healthcare support worker; newly qualified or experienced, student, associate, military, retired, or a family member

MHFAiders - A member of staff who is available to provide support to colleagues experiencing emotional or mental health distress. To provide reassurance, promote and support the safety of the individual, and to signpost to professional help and support. We are building a network of MSE MHFAiders. Are you interested in becoming an MSE MHFAider? Get in touch at HealthyMeAtMSE@btuh.nhs.uk. 

MSEBuddies - A clinical innovation and network designed to promote peer support, aligned to the MSE compassionate culture programme. In weekly one hour training sessions, a psychiatrist and psychologist equip Buddies with core skills to support staff and signpost them to resources, encouraging a healthy and productive workplace. To find out more, please contact MSECulture@btuh.nhs.uk

Wellbeing Champions – Are you enthusiastic about promoting a healthy workplace? 

Will you promote existing wellbeing services and MSE wellbeing initiatives? 
Are you ready to share your ideas and help shape the health & wellbeing offering at MSE?

Then we want you as an MSE Wellbeing Champion! Get in touch at HealthyMeAtMSE@btuh.nhs.uk

To find out more information and to access a list of all the Wellbeing allies within our trust, visit https://thehub.btuh.nhs.uk/workspaces/services-and-departments/occupational-health-and-wellbeing/wellbeing-allies

Physiotherapy

A fast track physiotherapy service for staff that experiencing musculoskeletal problems.

For more information contact your on-site physiotherapy service directly.

Post-Natal and Pre-natal Depression

NHS – Support for anyone who is struggling with Postnatal depression and would like support.

PaNDAS (PND Awareness & Support) – PANDAS is a community offering peer-to-peer support for you, your family and your network.

Recreational activities

Men’s Shed Association - 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.

Essex Walks – A list of guided walks across Essex.

Essex Wildlife Trust – Local Groups - 12 local groups carry out all manner of fundraising activities and events including nature reserve Open Days, as well as recruiting new members, local publicity, work parties, evening talks and magazine deliveries.  

Staff Social Groups - Are you interested in setting up a social club? We are keen to support social groups across MSE, so if you have an interest in photography, knitting, choir or more, please do get in touch - mse.healthymeatmse@nhs.net

Relaxation

Headspace YouTube – Selection of videos and playlists to help you relax.

Every Mind Matter YouTube - Try Every Mind Matters Youtube video on mindful breathing to help you feel more calm and present.

Music for Wellbeing – Recovery College online offer a range of music and videos for all moods and environments.

BBC Sounds – BBC brings virtual soundscapes of music and nature directly to audiences with Radio 3, 6 Music, BBC Sounds, BBC Two’s Winterwatch, the interactive BBC Sound Effects Archive and an innovative scientific experiment.

BBC Headroom - Tools to help whether it is everyday tips, sounds to relax your mind, strategies to cope with parenting right now or films to get you talking, we are here to help you look after yourself and your loved ones.

Remote Working

NHS People - Remote Working guide. 

NHS Employers - Support for staff who are working from home.

NHS - Every mind matters have out together 7 simple tips to tackle working from home.

Schwartz Rounds

Schwartz Rounds - Providing a structured forum where all staff, clinical and non-clinical, come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare. The purpose of Rounds is to understand the challenges and rewards that are intrinsic to providing care, not to solve problems or to focus on the clinical aspects of patient care. To find out more about the MSE Schwartz Rounds visit your local intranet page or keep a look at on the Social media sites.

Self-Care

The health and wellbeing team have created some self-care resources in line with Self-Care week in November 2021:

• Five ways to wellbeing
• Healthy swaps
• Workplace wellbeing
• Time for rest

People NHS - Develop new skills and discover new ways to improve your experience of work with short 10- to 20-minute guides developed by experts. Open to anyone in health and care.

GetSelfHelp – This website provides self-help and therapy resources, including worksheets and information sheets and self-help audio files.

MentalHealthFoundation – A series of free audio podcasts to improve wellbeing, including relaxation, mindfulness practise and help to overcome fear and anxiety.

Sexual Assault

NHS – Rape and Sexual Assault referral centres – Search page to find your local Sexual assault referral centres.

Rape Crisis - Rape Crisis England & Wales is the umbrella body for a network of independent Rape Crisis Centres. All their centres provide specialist support and services for victims and survivors of sexual violence.

Sexual Health

NHS – Live Well – Advice about sexual transmitted infections (STIs) and where to find your local sexual health clinic.

Terrence Higgins Trust - Information and resources about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and how to maintain good sexual health. Offer a home test kit service.

Sleep

Mental Health Foundation – Guides and resources on ‘How to sleep better’

NHS – Live Well – Advice and support on Sleep and tiredness and types of factors that can effect poor sleep.

Sleep Station – Sleep Station offer a free sleep guide for NHS and Key workers that outlines practical advice to help you sleep well.

Smoking

NHS – Quit Smoking – Information and support for quitting smoking as well as a NHS Smokefree app

Provide - Essex Lifestyle Service can support you in stopping smoking taking into account the challenges that forthcoming surgery presents. Their service is available to everyone living or working in Essex excluding Southend and Thurrock. It provides treatment, advice and support in various locations across the County including GP surgeries, pharmacies and specialist clinics.

SmokeFree Southend - The Smokefree Southend Team provides free advice, support and information to any smoker who lives or works in Southend-on-Sea.

Thurrock - Stop Smoking - You can get help to stop smoking by phoning Thurrock Healthy Lifestyle Service, who can arrange an appointment with a Stop Smoking Adviser either at your local GP practice or at a venue local to you.

Stress & Resilience

Finding Calm in the Chaos - A collection of short videos designed to provide you with simple tools and techniques to reduce stress wherever you are and effectively using whatever time you may have to attend to.

NHS People – Webinar on mangaging stress with a panel that share their perspective and thoughts on the steps to better manage stress as an individual, within a team, and as an organisation.

Resilience and recovery - Explore the indicators of stress, citing tolls and how to make sure you can move through and beyond stress to avoid burnout with Dr Sonya Wallbank.

Mind – Mind explores ways on how you can be more resilient to help improve physical health, lifestyle changes, as well as helping you build a supportive network.

ACL Essex – Free courses ranging from Stress Awareness to how to manage stress at home.

Student support

Student minds - Offering a range of resources and support for students

RCN (Royal College Nursing) - This guide is for RCN members who are nursing students. It includes information on re-sits, appeals, complaints, placements, raising concerns and accountability.

NHS - Counselling support for student mental health problems

BMA - Improving the mental wellbeing of doctors and medical students

NHS (Health careers) - Every student is likely to need some help while training and ask for it if you need it. Help is not only available with your studies, but also for other issues in your life that might be causing you concern. Get some ideas on what you can expect.

You Okay, Doc? - The mission is to change the perceptions of mental health for those working in the medical sector and to develop bespoke mental health support for doctors. With a range of topics and open discussions about doctors mental and physical wellbeing in a new podcast.

Nurselife - Whether you are a nurse, midwife or healthcare support worker; newly qualified or experienced, student, associate, military, retired, or a family member or friend of someone in the profession, you can access support or speak to the team.

Talking Therapies

IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)  - A Service that offers NICE recommended therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for common problems involving stress, anxiety and depression. If you live in England, you can refer yourself to an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT).

CiC - An independent, free and confidential advice service offering practical and emotional support for staff experiencing work or personal issues. Support varies from counselling to financial and legal advice.

Call: 0800 085 1376 (24/7) / Email: assist@cic-eap.co.uk / Wellonline: Basildon – btuhlogin / Broomfield – brnlogin / Southend – southend (Password – wellbeing)

Frontline 19 - Frontline19 is a FREE independent, confidential and UK based nationwide service delivering psychological support to people working on the frontline. Fill out the simple, confidential form online. Once they recieve some basic information from you, they can match you with an experienced therapist who has offered their professional skills for free.

EPUT - Here for You - Whether you need to talk to somebody, seek advice on where to find specific resources, receive counselling, attend a group session or organise a team debrief from a particular situation, we are here for you.

Call: 0344 257 3960 (24/7) / Email: hereforyou@nhs.net

Psychological Therapies Service - For Mid-Essex - A confidential self-referral service available to staff experiencing stress inside and outside work. Support includes individual consultations, ward meetings and one-off incident management sessions.

Call: 01245 514838 (Mon-Fri, 08:00-16:00)

Trauma

People NHS – Conversations about painful subjects – Guide to help support managers and staff from trauma and moral injury. Support on how to talk about trauma and how to recovery from these experiences.

Mental Health at Work – Resources to support managers and employees on understanding trauma and PTSD. These resources explore what trauma is, how it affects people, and what employers can do to help their staff as much as possible.

Weight management

Essex Wellbeing Service – Essex Wellbeing Service offer adults, over the age of 18, a free 12-week weight loss programme, which is delivered face to face, over the phone and online. The evidence-based programme takes a completely empathetic approach to weight with a full understanding of how people can gain unwanted weight.

NHS – Live Well – An NHS Weight loss plan with support and advice on weight loss

NHS Services – Search tool to find local weight loss support groups near you.

Wellbeing apps

Headspace - A science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation, providing unique tools and resources to help reduce stress, build resilience, and aid better sleep

Unmind - A mental health platform that empowers staff to proactively improve their mental wellbeing using scientifically backed assessments, tools and training.

#StayAlive - A suicide prevention resource packed full of information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. For use if you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide.

Liberate - Offering culturally sensitive and diverse meditations and talks that have been curated for the BAME community. The app aims to help reduce anxiety, alleviate stress and promote rest.

Bright Sky - Providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.

WorryTree - The WorryTree app aims to help you take control of worry wherever you are.You can use the app to record whatever you feel worried about. It uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to help you notice and challenge your worries. It can also help you create an action plan for managing worry.

Thrive - Helping you to prevent and manage stress, anxiety and related conditions. The game based app can be used to relax before a stressful situation or on a more regular basis to help you live a happier, more stress-free life.

Wellbeing conversations

As outlined in the NHS People Plan 2020-21 “from September 2020, every member of the NHS should have a health and wellbeing conversation and develop a personalised plan. These conversations may fit within an appraisal, job plan or one-to-one line management discussion, and should be reviewed at least annually. As part of this conversation, line managers will be expected to discuss the individual’s health and wellbeing, and any flexible working requirements, as well as equality, diversity and inclusion.”

What are health & wellbeing conversations?

Health and wellbeing conversations are intended to be regular, supportive, coaching style one to one conversations focused on looking after the wellbeing of all our diverse NHS people. They consider the holistic wellbeing of the individual (i.e. physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, lifestyle, safety, learning, contribution etc.) to identify areas where the individual may need support, signpost them to that support, and monitor their wellbeing over time. 

Who should be having health & wellbeing conversations?

In most cases, a health and wellbeing conversation may be held by a line manager or supervisor, but in some cases staff might want to have this confidential discussion with someone else. We would encourage all members of the team to support each other by regularly checking in.

How are health & wellbeing conversations recorded?

It is recommended that ahead of having a health & wellbeing conversation, line managers discuss with their colleagues how they would like to, confidentially record or note any actions. Health & wellbeing conversations are not required to be formally recorded however a staff member may choose to keep a personal copy of any wellness action plans discussed.

When should a health & wellbeing conversation take place?

Health and wellbeing should be regularly discussed in teams and line management relationships. Specific health and wellbeing conversations can be incorporated into existing discussions or may be implemented as a standalone discussion, some examples include:

• line management conversations such as 1:1s
• annual appraisals
• job planning discussions
• standalone wellbeing conversations, facilitated by a line manager or trained colleague
• team meetings and away days

For more information, please contact mse.healthymeatmse@nhs.net 

Wellbeing Hubs

We have Wellbeing Hubs on-site, designed as break-out spaces for staff on the frontline to take a break, these can be found at: 

Basildon - Elective Admissions Lounge
Broomfield - Wellbeing Terrace
Southend - Lifestyle Restaurant

Mid and South Essex Libraries offer a range of wellbeing resources as well as a ‘quiet space’ for staff to relax and de-stress from work.

Women's Health

CoppaFeel! - A breast cancer charity in the UK to solely create awareness, with the aim of instilling the knowledge and tools they need to get to know their bodies.

NHS – Information on what menopause is, the symptoms and treatments and a general overview for managing menopause

Healthtalk – Health talk offer a wide range of resources from an overview of what menopause is to supporting family members. Information on postmenopausal, perimenopausal and early menopause to help you gain a better knowledge of the conditions.