Stay Alive

The Stay Alive app, developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention, is asuicide prevention resourcefor the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.

The app includes:

• A safety plan with customisable reasons for living
• A LifeBox where you can store photos and memories that are important to you
• Strategies for staying safe and tips on how to stay grounded when you’re feeling overwhelmed
• Guided-breathing exercises and an interactive Wellness Plan

The app also links you directly to local and national crisis resources, with space to add in your own as well.

Download the Stay Alive app from your app store.

Grassroots Suicide Prevention empowers people to help saves lives from suicide through connecting, educating, and campaigning nationally.

WorkLife Central

WorkLife Central’s website and app offer expertise and support to help you balance work with home.

WorkLife Centralhas extended their offer of free access to their support and resources for our NHS employees through to 31 March 2025.

Their programme consists of a curated collection of positive and practical support, delivered through expert-led webinars, seminars, support groups, peer insights, online articles, blogs and podcasts. Their aim is to help improve wellbeing and support a healthy work / life balance.

These resources can be accessed remotely by all NHS employees:

• The fullLive Programme– live webinars, workshops, support groups and ‘ask the expert’ sessions delivered by expert speakers, streamed at 12.30pm GMT, spanning careers, wellbeing, resilience, parenting, inclusion and workplace topics.
• On Demand Programme– ready-to-view videos, webinar recordings and bitesize video shorts, which you can access at your convenience in your own time.
• The WorkLife Central Library: A rich collection of online content published weekly through a library of Expert Advice articles,WorkLife Stories podcast seriesdiscussing views and perspectives on relevant topics, and apopular blog seriessharing experiences of working parents.

How NHS staff can get access

• Access: WorkLife Central
• Complete your registration using your NHS email address.

Unmind

Unmind is a mental health platform that empowers staff to proactively improve their mental wellbeing. Using scientifically backed assessments, tools and training you can measure and manage your personal mental health needs, including digital programmes designed to help with stress, sleep, coping, connection, fulfilment and nutrition

.They have now extended their free offer and are offering free access to NHS staff until the 31 December 2025.

How NHS staff can get access

• Access: Unmind
• Sign up with your NHS email address
• Download the Unmind app from your app storeYour organisation name is ‘NHS’ – if you do not see your NHS email domain please contactsupport@unmind.comand include your email domain.

Bright Sky

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.

The app is also available to use in Polish, Punjabi and Urdu

.For more information, please see details and advice about using the app in your app store:

Bright Sky in Apple Store

• Bright Sky in Google Play

Further Bright Sky support is also available under our Support Now section titled ‘Finding calm amongst the chaos‘.

Headspace

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.

They have now extended their free offer and are offering free access to all NHS staff with an NHS email address until 31 March 2025.

Alongside access to the app content, you can join the Headspace team for a little bit of calm. Each month, a Headspace teacher hosts a live meditation and Q&A that’ll help clear your mind and cultivate mindfulness.Every quarter, coaches, therapists, and meditation teachers offer an hour-long workshop on mental health topics like building connections, navigating grief, and sleeping soundly. To view upcoming events: use your Headspace NHS log in and sign up here:events.headspace.com/2024-calendar/How NHS staff can get access

• Access: Headspace
• You will need to use your NHS email address to sign up
• Download the Headspace app from your app store
• Access theirFAQs and supportfor more information

Zero Suicide Alliance

Zero Suicide Alliance provides you with a range of free online learning sessions that provide you with a better understanding of the signs to look out for and the skills required to approach someone who is struggling, whether that be through social isolation or suicidal thoughts.

Employee Assistance Programme

Perkbox offers:

• A modern, easy-to-use platform
• A dedicated mobile app
• Thousands of retail discounts and savings
• Wellbeing resources and support
• Easier benefit discovery and navigation

Financial wellbeing

We know that health and wellbeing support remains the top driver of both motivation and advocacy, and that many are increasingly concerned about how they can make their money go further. We haveadded a pagewith a range of ideas to help any member of health and care staff and support their financial wellbeing.

We’ve been working with the MoneyHelper Service (formerly the Money and Pensions Service or Money Advice Service), an organisation who work to improve peoples financial wellbeing across the UK, to provide you with free, independent support. Based on calls to our support lines, we’ve picked out some of the top tools and resources to help you.

Try the free and impartial money advice telephone support line (Typetalk 18001 0800 915 4622 – available nationally), or their WhatsApp or webchat service:

NHS telephone support line

0800 448 0826

NHS people can call this support line, provided by the MoneyHelper Service, for free and impartial money guidance.
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

WhatsApp

Add+44 7701 342 744 to your WhatsApp and send the MoneyHelper Service’s national support team a message for help with sorting out your debts, credit questions and pensions guidance.

Webchat

Chat to one of the MoneyHelper Service team via their online portal.

More top tools and resources from the MoneyHelper Service

• Budget Planner Tool:This free Budget Planner puts you in control of your household spending and analyses your results to help you take control of your money. It’s already helped hundreds of thousands of people.
• Couch to Financial Fitness:Would you like to feel more in control of your finances? Try their free and flexible ten-week plan to help you build your confidence to manage your money. Develop core saving muscles, and create better habits for a long-term cash confident future.
• Debt Advice Locator Tool: If you’re struggling with debt, it can be hard to know where to turn. But with lots of free national and local advice services available across the UK, you can use this tool to find help in a way that’s best for you.
• Debt and borrowing:For taking control of debt, getting free debt advice, and how to borrow affordably.
• Benefits:Find out what benefits you’re entitled to and learn about Universal Credit.
• Budgeting and managing your money:Advice on running a bank account, planning your finances, and cutting costs.
• Work and redundancy: Advice on understanding your employment rights, what in-work benefits you might be entitled to and how to handle redundancy.
• Family and care:Big money decisions often need to be made when looking after family members and partners, expecting a baby, or dealing with problems like illness, divorce or bereavement. MoneyHelper has easy to understand guides to help you.
• Help with scams:Advice for spotting, avoiding and recovering from scams.

NHS Housing Hub

The NHS Housing Hub team for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are here to support all of our colleagues who have housing needs, in a variety of ways, and if you have a spare bedroom at home, please do get in touch to find out how to earn up to £7500 tax free with our NHS Rooms service!".

Email:iownt.housing-hub@nhs.net

Housing Hub/NHS Rooms - People Portal

*For all HIOW NHS staff including SCAS and Primary Care

Menopause Manager e-learning module

We have teamed up with Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace to provide managers across HIOW access to an interactive eLearning package.

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to support your colleagues and teams who experience the menopause.

To gain access to this catalogue on eLearning for Healthcare's Learning Hub, please complete this registration form.

Support for Primary Care Colleagues

This website has lots of information of support available and resources available for primary care employees.

Home - People Portal

EDNA Self-Referral Form

The Employee Disability and Neurodivergent Advisory service (EDNA) is a service that provides advocacy and signposting for NHS and Primary Care staff in Hampshire and Isle of Wight who have a disability, long term condition, and/ or neurodivergence.
Their overall aim is to support colleagues thrive in the workplace, working with the individual to identify areas where support is required including recommending appropriate reasonable adjustments.
You do not need a medical referral or formal diagnosis to access our service. You will be offered a one-to-one consultation with one of our Disability and Neurodivergent Advisors; a safe and confidential space to talk.
Following this, you will receive a detailed letter outlining what has been discussed, which will include recommendations for reasonable adjustments which can be shared with your line manager at your discretion.
They want to ensure that everyone feels included within the workplace and supported to thrive; where your unique differences and talents are valued, accepted, and not misunderstood. The EDNA Service is passionate about working together, to build an inclusive environment so that all colleagues have the opportunity to flourish in the workplace.
The EDNA Service is available Monday-Friday during core hours.
Please note that we are not a mental health support service and can only offer sign-posting -https://www.hiowpeople.nhs.uk/hubs/mental-health/We are also unable to be involved in any performance or disciplinary issues and these matters should be referred to your local HR department.

Southeast Neurodiversity Employee Support Package

NHSE South East regional Workforce Team commissioned HIOW to develop a suite of tools to raise awareness of neurodivergence, particularly for line managers with neurodivergent team members.

The support package includes:

• Tip sheets for managers

• Two recorded sessions with Genius Within Occupational Psychologists and our EDNA Advisors
• Bitesize e-learning modules

The training package will be free for all NHS and Primary Care staff working in the South East region. Contact your Learning Management System team to access.

Find the resources here:

Neurodiversity Awareness - People Portal (hiowpeople.nhs.uk)

Password: geniuswithin

Online Menopause Meet-ups·

·For NHS and Primary Care staff in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

·Fortnightly on Thursdays: 1pm online

A virtual meet-up to provide a safe space to talk about menopause. Menopause Meet-ups are for everyone, whether you are experiencing the menopause yourself or supporting someone who is, because menopause matters.

There is no set agenda, just an opportunity to share experiences and support each other over a virtual cuppa.

We hope to see you there!

To join email:HIOWWellbeing@solent.nhs.uk

Compassionate Employers

The Compassionate Employers programme, run by Hospice UK, helps organisations look after their people when grieving, caring for others or diagnosed with a life-limiting illness.

Hampshire and IOW ICS joined the programme in September 2023.

Membership includes access to the Members Hub, workshops, events, and online learning.https://www.hospiceuk.org/hants-iow-icb),Compassionate Employers - People Portal (hiowpeople.nhs.uk)

The online members’ hub can help with issues such as:

• Practical and legal advice following a bereavement
• Carers rights and support
• Support after a life-changing diagnosis
• Guidance and signposting for line managers
• Knowing what to say and what not to say
• HR toolkits

The programme also includes a review of the organisation's practices. Hampshire and IOW ICS earned a Silver Award overall for their efforts.

The Compassionate Employers team are happy to attend upcoming meetings and events to explain the programme's resources and answer questions about dealing with grief, caregiving, or illness at work.

You can arrange this via email at:compassionateemployers@hospiceuk.org

Sexual Safety Charter

New Forest PCN is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace for all staff, patients and visitors.

Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct refers to any unwanted or inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature that violates dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Examples include but are not limited to:

• Sexual comments, jokes or innuendo
• Unwanted physical contact
• Sexual advances or requests for sexual favours
• Sharing sexual images or messages
• Inappropriate staring or gestures
• Sexual harassment through social media or messaging platforms
• Abuse of power involving sexual behaviour
• Coercion or intimidation of a sexual nature

Sexual misconduct may occur between colleagues, between staff and patients, or between staff and external professionals.

. Support for Staff

The PCN will ensure appropriate support for individuals affected by sexual misconduct.

Support options may include:

• Confidential discussions with management
• Occupational health referral
• Access to staff wellbeing services
• Adjustments to working arrangements
• External support services where appropriate

• Acas: for information and advice on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law.  
• Citizens Advice: provide information about your legal rights in the workplace if you are experiencing sexual harassment.  
• Equality Advisory and Support Service: the EASS helpline advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights. EASS can also accept referrals from organisations which, due to capacity or funding issues, are unable to provide face-to-face advice to local users of their services.  
• Equality and Human Rights Commission: technical guidance on sexual harassment and other forms of harassment at work.
• General Medical Council: what to do if you think you have been subject to sexual misconduct by a doctor: a resource for patients and colleagues.
• Getting help for domestic violence and abuse: NHS.uk provides practical advice and help to recognise the signs and where to get help.
• Health & Care Professions Council: sexual safety hub provides help and guidance about making a report to that organisation.
• Help after rape and sexual assault: information on the NHS website about where to find support if you have been sexually assaulted, raped or abused.
• Ministry of Justice Victim and witness services: provides a directory of available specialist support organisations.
• Protect: for information and advice on whistleblowing.
• Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line: 24/7 helpline provided by Rape Crisis England and Wales 365 days a year for immediate support for anyone affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence. This includes people who have experienced sexual violence or abuse themselves, as well as their friends, family or anyone else who is trying to support them.
• Rights of Women. Sexual harassment at work advice: an advice line specifically for women who experience sexual harassment at work.
• Samaritans: support for anyone who's struggling to cope and who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure. 
• Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs): offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. SARCs have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers.
• Supporting a survivor of sexual violence: advice from Rape Crisis about how to support a survivor of sexual violence.
• Surviving in Scrubs: lived experience group committed to campaigning against sexism, misogyny and abuse in healthcare.
• SurvivorsUK: provide support to male and non-binary survivors of sexual violence, providing counselling, practical help and community on your healing journey.
• The Survivors Trust: has 120 member organisations based in the UK and Ireland which provide specialist support for women, men and children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse. Free, confidential national helpline 0808 801 0818 or text: 07860 022 956.
• Victim Support: provide specialist help to support victims of crime to cope and move on to the point where they feel they are back on track with their lives.