Welfare
Welfare Support for Members
Supporting the welfare and wellbeing of our members is a fundamental part of our role. In recent years, our members have been the first on the scene at a number of major incidents, including terror attacks, and these challenging situations can take their toll.
Repeated exposure to trauma has a significant and long-term impact on police officers. The effects of fatalities, dealing with mental health cases, long hours, lone working, workplace demands, and unrealistic time pressures can all affect an officer's physical and mental health.
As a Federation, we provide direct assistance and can help officers to get the support that's right for them. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, so signpost to services within BTP and those provided by police charities and other external organisations.
Sources of Support at Work
BTP Federation
Our reps receive a range of training from mental health first aid to menopause awareness. All reps can provide a listening ear, plus each committee has a rep who leads on welfare matters.
The Group Insurance Scheme includes access to GP Care on Demand and the Care First Counselling Service. Given some current waiting times on the NHS, your insurance cover could help you to find support sooner.
Money worries can contribute to poor mental wellbeing. The Federation's Welfare Fund provides loans and grants to members who are facing financial difficulties. You reps can advise on the support available to you, depending on your circumstances and needs. Please don't suffer in silence.
BTP Employee Assistance Programme
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a professional independent service (provided by PAM Wellbeing) that offers support, guidance and counselling for a wide range of issues and concerns you might have. Support includes: up to six sessions of counselling or CBT; in-the-moment support via counsellors; legal, tax and medical information; bereavement support; trauma and critical incident support; online supported CBT.
This free and confidential service can also be utilised by your immediate family members (i.e. your spouse and children aged 16-24 in full time education and residing at the same household address).
Call: 0800 882 4102 (24 hours a day 365 days a year) or use the Champion Health app. Further information, support and guidance can be found on the intranet.
Police/Rail Charities
Oscar Kilo Mental Health Crisis Line
This 24/7/365 line is specifically for police officers and staff, who are in crisis, providing a safe space to talk and receive support from qualified, independent counsellors. It's totally confidential and has already saved lives. Call: 0300 131 2789 or find out more here.
Police Care UK
Police Care UK helps serving and former police officers and staff, volunteers, and their families who have been harmed because of the policing role (either physical or psychological), get the practical, emotional, and financial support they need in a confidential and safe environment. Call: 0300 012 0030.
Police Treatment Centres
Well-known for providing intensive treatment for physical injuries, the Police Treatment Centres charity also offers a Psychological Wellbeing programme with access to experts, including registered nurses, experienced counsellors and highly trained therapists. Find out more here.
Railway Mission
Railway Mission provides voluntary pastoral services for employees and their families, irrespective of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Call Tel: 07718 971919 (out of hours: 07718 971918).
Mental Health Charities
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
CALM is leading a movement against suicide; 75% of all UK suicides are male. The CALM helpline is for people who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. Call: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight, daily).
Pacey Organisation
Pacey Organisation provides practical support and tips for parents on talking to children who may experience anxiety as a reaction to terrible events in the news and/or from their parent's involvement in dealing with the incident. Call: Tel: 0300 003 0005.
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through you can call the Samaritans any time, for free. Sometimes, writing your thoughts and feelings down can help you understand them better, so you can also email the Samaritans. Call: 116 123 (free) / Email: jo@samaritans.org
Photo credits: Oscar Kilo/National Police Wellbeing Service and Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash