Self help resources

Working in health and care can be extremely rewarding but at times can be very challenging.

The world has experienced ups and downs as a result of the pandemic, especially health and care staff, and it is completely natural to feel stressed, anxious or disorientated.

If you want to access some support but don't feel ready to speak to the Hub team directly, we've collated some helpful links to local resources and national organisations in the drop down menus below to browse at your own pace and time.

Free courses and wellbeing apps

Online therapy through SilverCloud

SilverCloud is an exciting online therapy programme proven to help manage stress, anxiety and depression. You work through a series of topics selected by a therapist to address specific needs. The eight-week course is designed to be completed in your own time and at your own pace. Find out more on the Healthy Minds NHS service website.

Recovery College

Self-refer to Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Staff Wellbeing Hub

  • The Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Staff Wellbeing Hub offers a confidential mental health and emotional wellbeing support service to NHS and social care staff. The Hub (based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire) has recently been commissioned to offer a service to staff in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB system; with current funding available until March 2024.
  • The Hub offers a person-centred telephone assessment, followed either by brief therapeutic intervention (delivered via MS Teams) or signposting to an appropriate service. The team includes a High Intensity CBT Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Counsellor, Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and Assistant Psychologists; all of whom offer a range of therapeutic approaches tailored to individual need.
  • You can refer yourself to receive support for any difficulties you are experiencing in the following ways:
  • This is a fully confidential service, so it does not reach out to your employer or GP as standard without consent. The only time it will break any confidentiality is if it is felt that you or someone else is at harm, and the Hub will always try to discuss this with you at the time.

You can find further information about the Hub at Psychological Wellbeing Hub (Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin) website

Free wellbeing apps for NHS staff

#StayAlive is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.

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

Cityparents consists of a curated collection of positive and practical support for working parents, delivered through expert-led webinars/seminars, advice, peer insights, online articles, blogs and podcast.

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

Unmind is a mental health platform that empowers staff to proactively improve their mental wellbeing.

National resources

Our NHS People - Developed by the NHS, the Our NHS People support offer incorporates Health and Wellbeing initiatives and also provides a helpline to support staff. Details are over on their website.

Cavell Nurses Trust -  Cavell Nurses’ Trust supports UK nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, both working and retired, when they’re suffering a personal or financial crisis often due to illness, disability, domestic abuse and the impact of the coronavirus.

QNI Listening Service - The QNI’s listening service, TalkToUs, offers emotional support by phone to registered nurses working in the community.

Every Mind Matters -  Every Mind Matters is a national campaign aimed to help you manage and maintain your mental health.

Mind - Mind provide advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. There is lots of information and resources available on their website.

NHS Practitioner Health - NHS Practitioner Health provides a range of free tools and resources over on their website, including a self referral service for Senior NHS Staff and a text service for people in crisis.

Mental and physical health

Mental health

Action4Happiness provides lots of resources, such as wellbeing calendars, to help you live a healthier and happier life.

Mind has lots of information and support if you or someone you know needs help with your mental health.

Self-help materials focusing on a wide range of issues are available on the Healthy Minds website. These guides are available for you to access at your own pace, in your own time. The guides explore different topics to help you recognise and make sense of what you are feeling or experiencing; providing information on what to do next and where you can get further support if you wish to access it. The guides are available in PDF and audio track formats. 

Our NHS People offers a comprehensive package of emotional, psychological and practical support for NHS staff that develops in line with what people tell us they feel they need and can be accessed through one point of contact.

Physical health

The One You website highlights the importance about health and encourages you to make changes to manage and maintain mental health.

The Fit4theFight fitness platformis a wellbeing initiative that offers free virtual fitness classes specifically to NHS staff has been set up by West Midlands Clinical Research Network (part of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust).

NHS Better Health  has a range of tools and support to help kickstart your health - find what works for you. 

Personal circumstances

Financial concerns

The Money Advice Service provides advice and guides, tools and calculators, and support over the phone and online.

Advice and guidance from the Government including pensions, savings, and money troubles.

NHS England provides signposting to free, independent financial wellbeing support.

Step Change is a charity providing free/confidential advice and support to people who are concerned about their debts. Visit the Step Change website for further details.

Our NHS People - The 'Our NHS People' financial wellbeing offer is accessible online and is open to all health and social care staff who provide NHS services, including those not directly employed by the NHS.

Cavell Nurses Trust - The Cavell Nurses’ Trust was set up to support nurses, midwives and HCA’s when they are suffering personal or financial hardship. They are able to signpost staff from other disciplines, to support that may be available to them. Nursing and midwifery staff can check their eligibility for support on the Cavell Nurses Trust website

Unions - If you are member of a Union it is always worth speaking to them to find out what support they can offer in regards to finances.

Family and young people

Worcestershire Children First provides support and information for families in Worcestershire.

Herefordshire Council provides information and guidance for families, parents, and expectant parents in Herefordshire, on topics such as early help, education and childcare.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) website has lots of information to help young people understand and manage their feelings, and details local organisations and NHS service contacts in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The Starting Well Partnership offer support to families, parents, children and young people through a number of services across Worcestershire.

Relationships

Whether you're having problems in your relationship or you'd just like to understand your things better, Charity Relate provide relationship counselling, family counselling, and more across Worcestershire and in Hereford. Visit the Relate website for support.

Support is also offered in other areas of England. Find out more.

Domestic abuse

Support pages specifically for local areas developed by councils

The West Mercia Women's Aid Helpline 
0800 980 3331 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is staffed by trained workers who can offer you support, safety planning, information and advice

National Support

  • The NHS website has advice online for the public on spotting the signs for domestic abuse and domestic violence and where to go for help.
  • Refuge is a national charity that supports women and children affected by domestic abuse. 0808 2000 is a 24/7 freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline
  • Women's Aid offer information and support to women and children subjected to domestic abuse. You can contact them via Live chat online or email - helpline@womensaid.org.uk
  • Respect Men's Advice Line  offer information, advice and support for men experiencing domestic abuse. They also provide a free helpline and online chat service. Freephone 0808 8010327, Monday–Friday 9am-8pm.
  • ManKind  provide emotional support and practical information for men who are subjected to domestic abuse, along with a confidential helpline. 01823 334244  
  • Galop offer information and advice on domestic abuse, sexual violence and hate crimes for the LGBT+ community, along with providing a domestic abuse helpline and online chat service. 0800 999 5428, help@galop.org.uk

If it's an emergency or you're in immediate danger

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you can’t speak, press 55 on your mobile or remain silent on your landline while the operator is on the line.

Work-related concerns

In the first instance it's normally best to speak to your employer, for example your line manager or your organisation's occupational health team.

Allternatively there are self-help resources available:

Training

Zero Suicide Alliance - A training module called Step Up has been launched by Zero Suicide Alliance, designed to help give you the skills to help people struggling with isolation and loneliness.

Recovery College