Welcome to the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ‘Supporting our People’ health and wellbeing resource guide.

The purpose of this guide is to help you focus on looking after your own mental health and wellbeing and that of others. Each week, we will focus on a new topic, sharing resources, tips and advice.

Bereavement

Sometimes, the experience of losing a resident might feel like losing a family member. Click here to discover various ways to cope with loss and how to access support if you are struggling with a bereavement.

Click Here

NHS & Social Care staff support line (7am–11pm 7 days a week) 0300 131 7000

Alternatively you can text FRONTLINE to 85258 for support 24/7 via text

Bereavement support line (8am–8pm 7 days a week) 0300 303 4434

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed the lives of everyone in the UK in numerous ways. For many, living with uncertainty, managing loss, and being disconnected from loved ones has been taking a toll on wellbeing. Some staff in social care and NHS settings have faced additional stressors of increased workload and role changes, in addition to worries about becoming ill or taking illness home to loved ones.

During this time, it is important to refuel and look after your own wellbeing by finding a balance between caring for others and prioritising your own needs. Practicing self-care can help to improve mood, reduce worry, and improve our relationships with others. Below are some key aspects of self-care which will be expanded upon over the coming weeks.

Have Self Compassion

Lots of people find that they can be kinder to others than to themselves. If you notice you’re being hard on yourself, think about how you might talk to a loved one if they were in the same situation.

Connect with Loved Ones

Take time to connect and share your feelings with friends and family. Don’t be afraid to get creative with video technology, garden visits, letter writing, or phone calls.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Our diet affects how we feel, physically and emotionally. Aim to eat regular, nutritious meals and drink plenty of water. It might help to plan ahead if you often find you’re reaching for less healthy choices!

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep is often disrupted when we’re feeling stressed or anxious. Try to aim for 7-8 hours each night. If possible, have a regular bed time, and limit screen time, caffeine, and sugar in the evenings.

Setting Limits

Protecting your own wellbeing can require setting limits as to what demands you take on. Consider saying no, not working outside of your hours, and switching off your phone.

Relaxation

Where you can, take time to relax and do the things which make you happy. This could be meditating, cooking, watching TV or taking a bath.

Physical Activity

Exercise has many benefits for our wellbeing. Try to do some form of physical activity every day. Perhaps you could combine this with being in nature, doing something you enjoy, or seeing loved ones.

Be Aware of Your Feelings

Try and notice if you’re feeling more stressed, anxious, or low than usual. This might be a sign that you need to take extra care of yourself, or to tell somebody about how you feel.

Every Mind Matters Mind Plan Quiz

A great resource is the ‘NHS Every Mind Matters’ website where you can complete a Mind Plan Quiz, where you rate 5 statements about yourself at this moment to find out what resources in the website may be most beneficial to you. There are also loads of great resources, tips and suggestions for various ‘Self-Care’ topics.

Take the Quiz