Guest Blog: Introducing BTP's Wellbeing Team

Policing is a uniquely challenging profession, physically, emotionally and mentally. The demands placed on officers are immense, and while resilience is part of the job, no one is invincible. That’s why looking after police wellbeing isn’t just important, it’s essential.

It’s also why we’re handing this month’s blog to BTP’s Wellbeing Team.

This is the first in a series of posts that we hope will shine a light on the support available to help officers and staff maintain their mental health and overall wellbeing. Over the coming months, you’ll learn more about the team, what they do and how they can help us all to navigate the pressures of the role.

We will also attempt a little myth-busting, so if there’s anything on the wellbeing front that you’re unsure about or if these posts prompt questions, do email us at info@btpfed.co.uk, and we’ll get the answers.

Thanks to the Head of Wellbeing, Siobhan Root, for writing this first post.

The role of the Wellbeing Team

I’ll start by explaining the purpose of the Wellbeing Team. Our aim is to support the wellbeing of all our people, reduce ill health and sickness and create a healthy work environment that feels safe and supportive. Your wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do.

Our Health and Wellbeing Model is based on the six areas of the Policing Bluelight Framework and adopts a holistic approach to health, wellbeing and safety:

Mental/psychological wellbeing - Recognising that we all have mental wellbeing and should feel safe to raise concerns, seek help without judgement, and be supported.

Physical wellbeing - Taking proactive steps to create a healthy working environment, supporting and educating our people in the importance of healthy eating, maintaining physical fitness and managing fatigue which can be impacted by both internal and external activities. Providing equipment to keep our people safe and active, and ensuring rest breaks and working patterns that support good health.

Social wellbeing - Team wellbeing, 1-2-1s, informal chats, shared rest spaces and moments of down-time can enable our people to re-charge, bond and share resilience.

Spiritual wellbeing - Creating an inclusive environment where our people can share their whole selves, beyond just their beliefs or faith (including people of no faith), sharing who we are as individuals, our relationships and what gives us meaning and purpose.

Financial wellbeing - Ensuring that we recognise the diverse ways that our people are financially impacted by internal or external economic factors, making a range of support available for all.

What does this look like in practice?

I have used the word holistic above, and I appreciate that it can sound vague, but it means recognising that a person’s wellbeing is made up of many parts. We take this wider approach because all of these areas are connected. If one is suffering, for example someone is dealing with financial stress or isn’t sleeping after a traumatic incident, it can quickly affect other parts of life and work.

With this in mind, we provide a range of services. I have summarised these below, but we will look at each in more detail over the coming months.

TRiM – This stands for Trauma Risk Management. It’s a confidential post-incident procedure involving a risk assessment, carried out by appropriately trained individuals called TRiM Practitioners. TRiM Practitioners provide peer support and education on normal reactions and coping strategies after a traumatic incident occurs.

Peer Support - BTP has a number of Peer Support volunteers who can provide wellbeing support, guidance and advice to our employees on various topics. Peer support interactions will focus on signposting to appropriate services and our volunteers all have an in-depth knowledge of our support networks and care pathways.

Employee Assistance Programme - Your Employee Assistance Programme is a free, confidential service, run independently by Help Employee Assistance Programme.  To access the helpline service, call: 0800 328 9972 , which is free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Onebright Mental Health Service - Onebright is a personalised, on-demand mental healthcare company, working to build a brighter way and provide life-changing support for people.  BTP's service with Onebright enables you to access free treatment and support if you are experiencing mental health issues which may be caused by your work or that are having a significant impact on your ability to undertake your role.

Wellbeing Events & Workshops – We organise a range of wellbeing events and workshops throughout the year, which help you to support and improve your health and wellbeing. Our events will cover a range of topics including mental, physical and financial wellbeing.

Recorded Webinars and Workshops – Not everyone can attend events when they happen, so we make resources and pre-recorded sessions available for you to watch at a time that suits you.

Wellbeing News – We compile this to help you keep up to date with the latest offers, training sessions and much more.

Meet the team

The Wellbeing Team is comprised of eight members covering the whole country and each division. Again, we will share more about our roles and experience in future posts, but for now, here is a ‘who’s who’ with details of how you can get in touch with us:

I hope this has been a useful introduction to the Wellbeing Team and an overview of the services we provide. Wellbeing is a big part of the Federation's work too, and we’re looking forward to working more closely with the Executive Team and local reps to increase awareness of the support available.

If I can leave you with one message for now, it’s this. You’ve probably heard the phrase, ‘It’s okay not to be okay’ - and it is. But our goal is to support you before you reach that point. That’s why we want you to know who we are, what support is available, and that it’s always okay to reach out early. We’re here for you.

Siobhan Root, Head of Wellbeing