Working in Primary Care can be both rewarding and challenging. Staffordshire Training Hub recognises the importance of supporting the health and wellbeing of the workforce across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The resources below provide access to a range of organisations offering confidential support, advice, and wellbeing services. These may be helpful for anyone who is experiencing stress, burnout, personal difficulties, or who simply wants to explore ways to support their own wellbeing.
Immediate Support
If you or a colleague needs urgent emotional or mental health support, the following services are available 24 hours a day and offer confidential help.
NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need urgent support, you can contact your local NHS urgent mental health helpline.
📞 Call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Samaritans
Samaritans provide confidential emotional support for anyone experiencing distress or struggling to cope.
📞 Call: 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day)
🌐 https://www.samaritans.org
Shout – Text Support Service
Shout is a free, confidential text messaging service for anyone struggling with stress, anxiety, loneliness, or overwhelming feelings.
📱 Text SHOUT to 85258
Primary Care Staff Wellbeing Toolkit
This Primary Care Staff Wellbeing Toolkit has been developed by Staffordshire Training Hub to support the health and wellbeing of everyone working in Primary Care across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The toolkit brings together a range of trusted support services, resources and organisations that staff can access if they need advice, support, or simply want to look after their wellbeing.
It is intended for all members of the Primary Care workforce.
Click on the image below to access the digital toolkit
Support for the Health and Care Workforce
A number of organisations provide confidential advice, guidance and wellbeing support specifically for those working in health and care professions.
NHS Practitioner Health
NHS Practitioner Health offers confidential mental health and wellbeing support for healthcare professionals, including GPs, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals working in primary care.
The service can support individuals experiencing stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, addiction, or other work-related mental health concerns.
Support is confidential and independent of employers.
NHS Wellbeing Support Resources
NHS England National Wellbeing Hub provides a range of practical resources to help NHS staff support their mental health and wellbeing.
Topics include:
- managing stress and burnout
- sleep and fatigue
- coping with anxiety
- emotional wellbeing
- supporting colleagues
Frontline19
NHFrontline19 provides confidential psychological support for people working on the frontline of health and care. The service connects health and care staff with qualified therapists who understand the pressures of working in healthcare.
Coaching and Mentoring Support
The NHS Leadership Academy offers coaching and mentoring resources to support professional development, leadership skills, and personal wellbeing for those working across the health and care system.
Profession-Specific Support
DocHealth
DocHealth provides confidential psychological support for doctors and dentists experiencing stress, burnout or other mental health challenges related to their professional roles.
🌐 https://www.dochealth.org.uk
You Okay, Doc?
You Okay, Doc? is a UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals. The organisation promotes open conversations about mental health and provides resources, peer support initiatives and wellbeing guidance for those working in healthcare.
Queen’s Nursing Institute – TalkToUs Listening Service
The Queen’s Nursing Institute offers a confidential listening service for community nurses who may need emotional support or a safe space to talk about work-related challenges.
🌐 Talk-to-Us-poster-download.pdf
Medical Council on Alcohol
The Medical Council on Alcohol supports doctors and medical students affected by alcohol-related difficulties and offers guidance and resources for recovery.
Mental Health and Emotional Support
A number of national organisations provide information, advice, and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties or emotional distress. These services are available to anyone who may be struggling with their mental wellbeing.
Mind
Mind provides advice, guidance and support for people experiencing mental health problems. Their website offers a wide range of information on common mental health conditions, as well as practical guidance on managing stress, anxiety and low mood.
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink Mental Illness provides support and information for people living with mental illness, as well as advice for family members and carers. They offer guidance on a wide range of mental health topics and provide access to support services across the UK.
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation provides evidence-based information and resources to help people understand and protect their mental wellbeing. Their website includes practical advice, research, and wellbeing guidance.
NHS Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies offers support for people experiencing common mental health difficulties such as anxiety, stress, depression and low mood. Individuals can access evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), either through self-referral or via their GP.
🌐 https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-nhs-talking-therapies-service
Every Mind Matters (NHS)
Every Mind Matters provides practical NHS advice and tools to help support mental wellbeing. The website includes personalised plans and free email programmes covering topics such as anxiety management and improving sleep.
Examples include:
• 7-week anxiety support programme
• 6-week sleep support programme
Personal Support
Personal circumstances such as relationship difficulties, bereavement, or family challenges can have a significant impact on wellbeing. The organisations below provide confidential advice and support for individuals experiencing personal difficulties.
Cruse Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement Support offers free and confidential support to people who have been affected by bereavement. Their services include helplines, online resources and local support.
Relate
Relate provides counselling and support for people experiencing relationship difficulties. Support is available for couples, individuals and families, covering issues such as relationship breakdown, family conflict and separation.
Amparo – Suicide Bereavement Support
Amparo provides free and confidential support for people affected by suicide, including family members, friends, colleagues and wider communities.
Losing someone to suicide can have a significant and lasting impact. Amparo offers emotional and practical support to help individuals navigate grief and reduce isolation.
Support includes:
- One-to-one support
- Practical guidance following a bereavement
- Help accessing other services
Referrals can be made by professionals or through self-referral.
📞 Telephone: 0330 088 9255
✉️ Email: staffs-stoke@amparo.org.uk
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper provides free and impartial guidance to help people manage their money, including advice on budgeting, dealing with debt, pensions and retirement planning.
The service offers online tools, guides and support to help individuals make informed financial decisions.
Addiction and Gambling Support
If you or a colleague are experiencing difficulties related to alcohol, drugs, gambling or other addictive behaviours, the following organisations provide confidential support and guidance.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of individuals who share their experiences and support one another to recover from alcohol dependency. Local meetings are available across the UK, including online options.
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offers support to people recovering from drug addiction. Meetings provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals can share experiences and support each other in recovery.
GamCare
GamCare provides information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling. Services include a confidential helpline, live chat, online support and access to treatment services.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are at immediate risk, please contact 999 or attend your nearest A&E department.
You do not need to navigate this alone. Support is available, and taking the first step can make a difference
Further Staffordshire Training Hub & Partner Support
Differrently-abled Buddy Scheme (DABS)
The Differently-Abled Buddy Scheme (DABS) offers better support for new and existing Primary Care workers with disability, long-term health conditions and neuro-difference.
Please do not hesitate to contact Angela Peake, the Staffordshire Training Hub DABS Lead at angela.peake@gpfirst.net if you have any queries regarding the DABS or the Health Passport.
Multi-professional Coaching and Mentoring
The Staffordshire Training Hub (STH) is pleased to share that we are planning to launch a new programme that will offer coaching and mentoring to the multi-professional Primary Care workforce across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The programme will offer up to 12 hours of one-to-one confidential mentorship and coaching over the course of a year.
Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
Freedom to Speak Up Guardians support workers to speak up when they feel that they are unable to do so by other routes. They ensure that people who speak up are thanked, that the issues they raise are responded to, and make sure that the person speaking up receives feedback on the actions taken.
Your regional Freedom to Speak Up Guardian for North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, East Staffordshire and Mercian is: Rachel Viggars at rachel.viggars@staffs.nhs.uk