Since being set up in December 2020, to provide staff with rapid access to confidential mental health and wellbeing support, KeepingWellNEL has supported 28,263 health and social care staff through health promotion, self-help, reflective practices, enhanced health and wellbeing needs assessments, wellbeing conversations, manager consultations and mental health and care navigation and follow ups.
According to Vlad Iorga, KeepingWellNEL Programme Director, having a healthy workplace is crucial to ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and effective care.
He continued: “This winter is the most challenging one yet and comes on the back of two very challenges years for all of us, but especially for NHS and care staff. Taking active steps to look after staff wellbeing has never been so important. This winter may be a difficult time for many people, but we ask that our colleagues in health and social care are shown the same compassion and understanding they continue to show to all of us.”
As well as mental health and wellbeing support and signposting, numerous workshops and seminars support over 70,000 health and social care staff in north east London. An attendee at a recent ‘dealing with stress’ webinar said, “KeepingWellNEL provided me with practical tips to help combat high stress levels, what to do when I am stressed and how to look out for burnout.”
A nurses story
“Following an occupational health review, I was asked to call the KeepingWellNEL team. As you can imagine, for a working nurse that call is very difficult to make. Fortunately for me, a very understanding Wellbeing Advisor answered the phone that day and from that moment I was immediately put at ease.
I was incredibly overwhelmed during the first call, but I received a call back a couple of days later from the Wellbeing Advisor who I had previously spoken to, and I was made aware at, each call what the following one would be for and what it would entail. The referral process for talking therapies was done quickly and advice was given regarding seeing my GP.
My Wellbeing Advisor has checked in on me regularly since that call. I cannot express my gratitude for the work they have done with me. I came to this service following a traumatic event in my life and I am sure hearing my distress could not have been easy.
The compassion, care and kindness from, was and is, so professional and beyond anything I expected. Through our conversations they have helped me more than I ever imagined anyone could.”
The KeepingWellNEL service is open to health and social care staff in east London, Monday to Saturday from 8am – 8pm, including bank holidays, online keepingwellnel.nhs.uk/ and by phone on 0800-953-9898 and by text +447723 484 839.
