Support for care staff

Leeds Credit Union is a financial cooperative with 37,000 members that provides straightforward, affordable financial services.                

As a mutual there are no shareholders, so it’s owned by its members and always has the interests of the members at the heart of everything it does. The credit union prides itself on providing members with the most appropriate services based on their circumstances.                

Anyone who lives or works in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate and Craven, residents of certain housing associations or who works for one of our select employers External link   is applicable to join the credit union.                

Leeds City Credit Union is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).                

Leeds City Credit Union is a member of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme established under The Financial Services and Markets Act 2002.                 

Leeds Credit Union External link                 

The Leeds Money Information Centre website brings together all the organisations and agencies in the city that offer free help and advice on money, debt, budgeting, reducing bills and affordable loans, including help managing your money. There’s even a handy mapping tool below to show you where all the organisations are located.                

Leeds Money Information Centre External link                

The charity are aware that the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in additional financial challenges for everyone. At the Healthcare Workers’ Foundation, they provide grants of up to £1,000 to healthcare workers who are experiencing exceptional financial hardship.                 

The trust helps registered nurses, midwives, nursing associates, maternity support workers and healthcare assistants, both working and retired, when they’re suffering personal or financial hardship. This is often due to illness, disability, older age, domestic abuse and the impact of the coronavirus. ;                

They are a charity and help people at no cost to them. There’s no membership, and they’re not a union or insurance scheme. It all starts with getting in touch.                

Cavell Nurses’ Trust External link                 

Find out what help and advice is available if you are struggling to pay for food, rent and other household bills External link.                 

Different types of food support are available for anyone in Leeds experiencing difficulties in accessing food. Personal circumstances will determine the type of help that can be received. If people are receiving support from a social worker, support worker or other advice agency, they may also be able to refer you for help with food and/or food vouchers.                

Emergency food External link                 

The Leeds Food Aid Network (FAN) exists to bring together a range of food aid providers, agency workers, the city Council and members of the wider public, to help tackle food poverty effectively in the city of Leeds. This is part of Food Wise Leeds and the West Yorkshire Food Poverty Network, which is connected to the national initiative Feeding Britain.                

The Leeds Food Aid Network External link.                

Welfare support officer supporting the Leeds Health and Care Workforce     

Leeds Health and Care Academy have teamed up with the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DWMS) to provide a welfare officer support service to the health and social care workforce in Leeds. The welfare officer can provide high-quality emotional and practical support to individuals who may be seeking help for a range of reasons (emotional, financial, housing etc) Dreda Dowd, Welfare Support Officer is a Nurse by background and holds a Diploma in Welfare and has worked in this field for over 10 years, mostly spent with Help for Heroes supporting veterans and their families. To find out more about the Welfare Support Officer please contact; leedsoneworkforce@nhs.net     

MindWell is the mental health website for people in Leeds. It’s funded by NHS Leeds CCG to bring together information from the NHS, Leeds City Council and the third sector into one ‘go to’ place. They can help you find information about support in the city and different ways to take care of your mental wellbeing.                

Browsealoud software External link   on their website can translate the site into different languages.                

They can help you to access:                

• Clear, accurate information about support and services available in Leeds.
• Information about a range of common mental health problems such as anxiety and stress.
• Self-help information including downloadable resources and videos which can help you to look after your mental health and help yourself to feel better.
• Help for what to do in a ‘crisis’ or mental health emergency.
• Support for practical issues such as housing problems or money worries.
• Information to support people such as carers and new parents.

Please note that MindWell is not a service and cannot respond to queries about individual situations or give advice.                

Mindwell External link                

The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership has developed a Mental Health and Wellbeing hub with a range of free resources available to everyone who works in the local health and social care system including voluntary and community services. As well self-help resources the hub includes access to individual psychological assessment and therapy available NOW. People can search the hub website for more information; Mental health and wellbeing hub External link                

There is free, immediate support available every day 8am – 8pm, accessible by calling 0808 196 3833 or online chat where people can have an initial conversation about issues they are struggling with. A self-assessment tool and self-referral form are in development and will be available soon. If you’ve any questions about the service available to staff or the range of training/consultation resources available please do get in touch via bdcccg.wyh.mentalwellbeinghub@nhs.net.                

WY&HHCP Staff check in campaign                 

The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership is currently running a staff suicide prevention campaign: Staff check-in External link                

This is an open access resource for the whole health and social care system, including private, public and voluntary and community services providers. There is lots of information on there about how to have the conversation about suicide risk with colleagues and how to create safer suicide workplaces. A full suite of promotional and other resources is available to download from the campaign website.                

Public Health England are launching the Better Health - Every Mind Matters campaign to support the nation’s mental wellbeing with the encouragement that “When things aren’t so good out there, make inside feel better”. Aimed at adults but weighted towards those most at risk of mental health problems, this “Make Inside Feel Better” 2021 phase of the campaign will run across PR, radio, social and digital. The key message will be to encourage people to create a free NHS-approved Mind plan External link                 

Every Mind Matters External link   has been continuously updated to support people during the COVID-19 outbreak, and has a Covid 19 hub External link   that includes tips and support on how to deal with change, cope with money worries and job uncertainty and how to look after your mental wellbeing while staying at home. It also includes practical tips and videos from experts on dealing with stress External link   and anxiety External link   , boosting your mood External link   , sleeping better External link   and what you can do to help others – including advice for parents External link   and for children and young people External link                 

The NHS has a list of charities providing mental health support External link   . Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, these mental health charities, organisations and support groups can offer expert advice.                

If you need someone to talk to, they listen. They won't judge or tell you what to do.                 

The are available 24/7 by phone, email, or letter.                 

They can be contacted on 0113 116 123 or their web page; Samaritans External link                 

Live Well Leeds delivers a range of services that include one to one support, group support, peer support, befriending and volunteering opportunities. All services will be based around a recovery, maintaining wellbeing and social inclusion.                 

Live Well Leeds External link                 

Promotes positive mental health and wellbeing and provides help and support to those who need it. We offer many services, including counselling, group therapy, social support, peer support, social prescribing, employment support, suicide bereavement support, and mental health training.                

Leeds Mind External link                 

The Leeds Public Health team have a page that provides the latest advice and guidance and signposts you to relevant local services and resources, to help you undertake your role as effectively as possible.         

Find more on current awareness.         

The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Grief and Loss Support Service is for anyone suffering any form of grief and loss, or those worried about losing someone, whether this relates to a family member, friend, or member of their community.                

Freephone: 0808 1963833 (available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week)                

Grief and Loss Support Service External link                 

Forward Leeds is the alcohol and drug service in Leeds for adults, young people, and families. They offer a range of services from 9am-5pm, Mondays and Fridays and 9am-7pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.                

Forward Leeds External link                 

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.                

1. Connect

There is strong evidence that indicates that feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world. It’s clear that social relationships are critical for promoting wellbeing and for acting as a buffer against mental ill health for people of all ages. With this in mind, try to do something different today and make a connection.                

• Talk to someone instead of sending an email
• Speak to someone new
• Ask how someone’s weekend was and really listen when they tell you

2. Be active

Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. Exercise is essential for slowing age-related cognitive decline and for promoting well-being. But it doesn’t need to be particularly intense for you to feel good - slower-paced activities, such as walking, can have the benefit of encouraging social interactions as well providing some level of exercise. Today, why not get physical? Here are a few ideas:                

• Go for a walk at lunchtime
• Have a kick-about in a local park
• Do some ‘easy exercise’, like stretching, before you leave for work in the morning

3. Take notice

Reminding yourself to ‘take notice’ can strengthen and broaden awareness. Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your well-being and savouring ‘the moment’ can help to reaffirm your life priorities. Heightened awareness also enhances your self-understanding and allows you to make positive choices based on your own values and motivations. Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. Here are a few ideas:                

• Get a plant for your workspace
• Have a ‘clear the clutter’ day
• Visit a new place for lunch.

4. Learn

Continued learning through life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the opportunity to engage in work or educational activities particularly helps to lift older people out of depression. The practice of setting goals, which is related to adult learning, has been strongly associated with higher levels of wellbeing. Why not learn something new today? Here are a few more ideas:                

• Find out something about your colleagues
• Do a crossword or Sudoku
• Research something you’ve always wondered about

5. Give

Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the field of wellbeing research. Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy. Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing. Give a smile, give your time, give a gesture.                

Sometimes impartial advice on employment matters is required, if you’re not a member of a union then ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law.                 

We support good relationships between employers and employees which underpin business success. But when things go wrong, we help by providing conciliation to resolve workplace problems. ACAS External link                

Additionally you may need the support of a union while there are a large number of unions covering many areas of work a good place to start if you’re looking to join a union is: Gov.uk Joining a trade union External link                 

Leeds Mind have a job retention service External link   which helps you to maintain employment if it is at risk whilst recovering from mental health difficulties. They work with you, and with your employer too, to achieve the best outcome for you.                 

They understand that work can be challenging but believe that maintaining work is not just a means of earning a living, but also plays an important part of well-being.                

They also offer a range of evening and daytime workshops and courses to anyone in employment with a mental health condition. All workshops take place at DeLacey House in Kirkstall.                

This confidential service delivered by Remploy funded by the Department for Work and Pensions is available at no charge to any employees with depression, anxiety, stress, or other mental health issues affecting their work.                

To be eligible for this service, individuals need to be in permanent or temporary employment and have a mental health condition (diagnosed or undiagnosed) that has resulted in workplace absence or is causing difficulties to remain in work.                

Access to Work Mental Health Support Service External link                 

With a membership of over 400 local employers, the Leeds Mindful Employer External link   promotes workplace mental health and wellbeing. This network is commissioned by Leeds City Council (Public Health) and led by Leeds Mind. They offer help in building a mental health strategy, increasing employee engagement, and developing a strong healthy workplace culture. The network organises networking events, sharing good practice and offers peer support. They also share news relating to local training, tools, and resources on their monthly newsletter.                

Involvement with Mindful Employer is free, it is a collaborative space and encourage all local employers and their staff who is interested in improving mental health at work to join. They can be contacted via email – mindfulemployer@leedsmind.org.uk.                

Leeds Women’s Aid (LWA) External link   is an independent charity, formed in 1972, providing services to women and children affected by Domestic Violence & Abuse (DV & A). They provide a range of the very best services for vulnerable women and families who are victims and survivors of: domestic, sexual & honour-based violence and abuse; forced marriage; trafficking; stalking and harassment.                

Shantona is providing frontline services for victims of domestic violence. It has been found that domestic violence is under-reported in the South Asian community. To combat this Shantona runs The Asroy Project (meaning Safe Haven) for women, children, young people and families to support them to build resilience against DV. Shantona for Asian women and girls External link                 

Behind Closed Doors, across Leeds, are here to help you, wherever you identify on the spectrum of gender or sexuality, to cope, recover and move on from your domestic violence and abuse experiences. Behind Closed Doors External link                

LDVS provides support to women, men and families in Leeds, offering emergency accommodation, support, advice and advocacy. LDVS supports anyone experiencing domestic violence and abuse and actively encourages people from LGBT+ communities to access our support.                

24hr helpline 0113 246 0401 administration@leedswomensaid.org.uk                

The Public Health Resource Centre offers support to anyone with a responsibility or professional interest in promoting health and wellbeing in Leeds. The PHRC aims to provide the best possible information, resources, and services, to help improve the health of people in Leeds and beyond.                

The Public Health Resource Centre External link                 

Mentally Healthy Leeds run several training courses which are FREE to frontline staff and professionals working in Leeds. For information on dates and to book a space call Mentally Healthy Leeds on 0113 2739675 or email training@commlinks.co.uk.                

Living Works Start                 

This is a 90-minute online training programme that looks at how to recognise when someone is having thoughts of suicide and take meaningful action to keep them safe. The course is for anyone aged over 13, no formal or prior suicide prevention training is needed. In addition to the online training participants will be expected to attend a 2-hour workshop facilitated by an experienced Suicide Prevention trainer. This will provide an opportunity to discuss the skills learnt during Living Works Start in a safe and supportive environment.                

SafeTALK                

This is a half-day training in suicide alertness which helps participants recognise a person having thoughts of suicide and connect them with resources that can help in choosing to live. Participants don’t need any formal preparation to attend the meeting – anyone aged 15 or older who wants to make a difference can learn the SafeTALK steps.                

Mental Health First Aid                

The MHFA course teaches participants how to recognise and respond appropriately to signs of emotional distress and qualifies you as a Mental Health First Aider.                

ASIST                

This is a two-day course that aims to break down stereotypes and misinformation about suicide and gives participants an evidence-based approach to those at risk. Participants will have a chance to analyse their own views about suicide, they will be introduced to the intervention model and given opportunities to observe and practise skills in effective suicide intervention. Recognised by the Department of Health, ASIST is fast becoming an essential tool for all community caregivers.