While NHS staff are used to looking after others, it's really important to take some time to look after your own health and wellbeing too.
This page has information about some free apps, programmes and helpful links to support our staff and other NHS colleagues:
Headspace is a science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation, helping reduce stress, build resilience, and aid better sleep. It's free for NHS staff until 31 March 2025.
Unmind is a mental health platform that helps you to proactively improve your mental wellbeing, using scientifically-backed assessments, tools and training.
This includes digital programmes designed to help with stress, sleep, coping, connection, fulfilment and nutrition.
Unmind is offering free access to NHS staff. Sign up to Unmind - use your NHS email and enter NHS as your organisation name.
If you work for the NHS (any band or role), you and your family members can access SilverCloud for free.
SilverCloud is an online self-help programme which has modules to help with stress, sleep and resilience.
To get started, visit the SilverCloud page and use the access code: NHS2020.
If you need someone to talk to, you can access support by texting SHOUT to 85258 for support 24/7. This service is available to all our NHS colleagues who have had a tough day, who are feeling worried or overwhelmed, or who have a lot on their mind and need to talk it through.
Samaritans helpline:
Samaritans also offer wellbeing support line for health and care colleagues, which you can call on 116 123.
Liberate Meditation is providing free access to their meditation and mindfulness app for NHS staff.
The app offers culturally sensitive and diverse meditations, curated for the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) community, by the BAME community. This aims to reduce anxiety, alleviate stress and promote rest.
#DoingOurBit
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust have produced fitness content to help NHS staff stay healthy during COVID.
We've signed up for it, so you just need to register using your NHS email: Click here to get started.
NHS Fitness Studio
These videos have been created by fitness experts and cover aerobics exercise, strength and resistance, pilates and yoga. Click here to visit NHS Fitness Studio.
We have a staff wellbeing service which offer counselling and therapy services to all staff employed by Pennine Care. Visit the ‘Health and Wellbeing Zone’ on our intranet to find out more about this service, or email pcn-tr.penninecare-sws@nhs.net.
NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is a free service for colleagues who’d like to lose weight and improve their health and wellbeing.
If you have a BMI of 30 or greater (or 27.5 or greater for staff from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups, as these groups are at an increased risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI) – you can access a tailored online 12-week programme.
The NHS People website has all the latest information and guidance on the wellbeing support available for NHS staff.
During the covid pandemic, the Greater Manchester Resilience Hub is also providing emotional support to all health and care workers, and their families, living or working in Greater Manchester. Click here for more information.