Page 25 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2017

mechanisms, many staff talked about great the organisation I can only do this with the will be best placed to signpost to other forms
support coming other resources such as the help, support and commitment of the of support and resources and will have a
Police Federation, the Force chaplaincy team organisation, its employees and its personal relationship with you. Other avenues
and the staff association groups to name a supporting agencies. To date the support and like BWell or occupational health can then be
few. skills that I have been offered, will, I believe, considered.
help us to meet and even surpass our goals to
How long did it take you to work out what enable WMP to be a ‘leading light’ in What are your goals for the rest of this year?
was needed and what goals did you set addressing mental health and wellbeing in They are to:
yourself? How is that progressing? the workplace. l Plan the next Mental Health & Wellbeing
Within the first three months I was able to event for 2018
identify the main areas of need in relation to How are things improving? l Review the use of the MIND Bluelight
the mental health and wellbeing of the It is too early to have any meaningful data on champion initiative
workforce. The priority goals that were set improvements in this area, however, I would l Develop a staff association group for
included: expect there to be some within the next three people with mental health issues, those
l The development of a mental health and to six months. Anecdotally though, we are who have suffered these issues in the
wellbeing strategy. The strategy has been hearing that employees are starting to see past and also for those caring for
written and is informing the development changes that have been implemented and are someone with mental health issues
of a wider wellbeing strategy led by Tina able to identify a core group of people l Deliver a professional Employee Support
Cook, head of wellbeing. dedicated to this agenda; Tina Cook, Amanda service based on organisational need.
l An audit of the resources and support Young (employee engagement manager),
available to staff. A basic audit of myself, the occupational health team and the And for 2018?
resources and support has been carried chaplaincy team. We hope that this core I am aiming to:
out through visits around the Force, focus group of people will continue to grow and l Inform the L & D strategy for delivering
groups and a review of the intranet, and develop. employee wellbeing training
l The restructure of the Employee Support programmes, to cover education around
service. Occupational health as a What support is now available to officers and mental health and wellbeing, resilience,
department is currently undergoing staff through the Force? individual responsibility and coping
investment and restructure to better The biggest change or addition for employees mechanisms
accommodate the organisational needs, has been the introduction of an Employee l Have spent time in all areas of the
this has included the provision from Assistance programme called BWell, delivered organisation to best understand the
Employee Support. We are aiming to through an external provider to offer 24/7 needs of the organisation.
re-launch our updated services in August. access to a variety of support and resources, Other goals and aims I’m sure will develop
Some of the work remains ongoing and will inclusive of counselling, financial advice, line as we progress the agenda.
be reviewed regularly. manager support, an online CBT programme
and a lifestyle app. Thought for the day…
What do you consider your biggest success The service was launched in June and the As a Force, we have a large staff population
so far? uptake has been amazing, anecdotal feedback which can make training and educating
I believe there have been two ‘BIG’ success has also been extremely positive. We will people about health and wellbeing a
stories for me so far and they are: continue to engage with the provider to challenge and causes you to think ‘outside the
l The Mental Health & Wellbeing event in ensure the offering is a responsive to the box’ and seek a multi-layered approach to
February 2017 held at Tally Ho, and needs of our organisation as possible. answering those needs.
l The way in which people have embraced As I mentioned earlier, we are also Influencing a change in culture to one
my role and contribution with openness investing in the occupational health that encourages people to take care of
and enthusiasm. department and will see the number of staff themselves and not be afraid to discuss their
The Mental Health & Wellbeing event increase over coming months, as well as mental health issues is key and so I would
was a resounding success with nearly 200 positive changes to the delivery of the service encourage everyone to take five minutes of
officers and staff in attendance. The day was which will be implemented in August. These their day (in or out of work) and consider the
filled with enigmatic speakers, workshops will be communicated fully across the Force following questions:
and stands for everyone to engage with. and training provided as and when necessary. l Do I have wellbeing when I am at work?
Evaluation of the event confirmed the need Occupational health and BWell are the l What can I do to develop my own
for events such as this and showed that ‘It’s two main avenues of support that I would wellbeing at work? And,
OK to talk!’ recommend people explore, however, we l What can I do to enable work to support
Our aim is for this to be an annual event, know that support is personal to the me in the workplace?
supported by smaller events throughout the individual and it may be that officers and staff
year. One of the requests from the day was to need to ‘try out’ different options before they I would be happy to hear of thoughts and
establish a support/staff group for people find what works for them. This may include ideas and can be contacted on the following;
with or caring for people with a mental support from the chaplaincy, the Police Sarah Cavendish (58434)
health issue. This is currently being developed Federation, the staff association groups, the Mental health lead
– so watch this space! Benevolent Fund or Police Mutual and so on. Shared Services
I have been completely bowled over by For anyone who is feeling stressed or West Midlands Police
the welcome I have received and enthusiasm anxious or dealing with mental health issues I Tally Ho, Pershore Road, Birmingham B5 7RN.
from employees to engage with the mental would always advise to seek support Internal Tel: 802 3036
health and wellbeing agenda. While my role internally, in the first instance from your line Mobile: 07787 934830
is specific to developing this agenda within manager and externally, from your GP. They Email: s.cavendish@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk

www.westmidspolfed.com federation August/September 2017 25