A new webinar series, Keeping Well for Health and Care Workers, has been developed to support the wellbeing of health and social care workers who are faced with the challenges of delivering essential health and care services during COVID-19, whether at the front line or in supporting services.

At this time, it is more vital than ever that you look after yourself, allow yourself to recognise the emotional challenges of your work and ask for support when you need it.

Each 60-minute webinar is NHS-led and delivered by Emily Gardner, High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Richmond Wellbeing Service. The webinars offer you the chance to explore ideas and tools to support your mental health and wellbeing in a clinically-led and interactive way, when joining live.

To keep up to date about future webinar sessions, subscribe to the Thrive LDN newsletter.

About London’s NHS-led wellbeing webinars

The Coping Well During Covid and Keeping Well for Health and Care Workers webinar series are developed and delivered by Healthy London Partnership’s digital Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme team. Webinars will be recorded and available to view back on Thrive LDN’s website to support the mental health and resilience of Londoners during and after the pandemic.

#1 Managing Wellbeing
Thursday, 25 June 2020 16:00 – 17:00

The first in the series of webinars will look at understanding emotional health and sustaining staff wellbeing. The webinar will highlight a ‘boom and bust cycle’ and a ‘fear cycle’, followed by some strategies and techniques to break these common cycles and improve mood.

View the slides from the webinar

#2 Preventing Burnout
Thursday, 2 July 2020 16:00 – 17:00

This webinar will look at how burnout can be caused and how this impacts our mood and productivity. We will explore some strategies and techniques to prevent burnout and increase motivation and efficiency.

View the slides from the webinar

#3 Coping with Burnout and Stress
Thursday, 9 July 2020 16:00 – 17:00

This webinar will take a look at managing worry and stress caused by burnout from the challenges of delivering essential health and care services during COVID-19. We will explore some helpful long-term strategies for managing stress and reducing worry.

Register online here.


#4 Sleeping Better
Thursday, 16 July 2020 16:00 – 17:00

This pandemic has seen an increase in the nation’s sleeping difficulties. Research has shown that shift work can cause sleep disturbances and excessive sleepiness. This webinar will look at why we sleep and some of the common sleep difficulties, followed by strategies and tips to overcome these sleeping problems.

Register online here.


Other resources to support your mental wellbeing
At this time, it is more vital than ever that you look after yourself, allow yourself to recognise the emotional challenges of your work and ask for support when you need it.

The NHS has developed a range of support for all health and care workers who continue to work tirelessly, whether at the front line or in supporting services.

Health and care workers have access to a range of wellbeing support through one point of contact:

  • A free wellbeing support helpline 0300 131 7000, available from 7.00 am – 11.00 pm seven days a week, providing confidential listening from trained professionals and specialist advice – including coaching, bereavement care, mental health and financial help
  • A 24/7 text alternative to the above helpline – simply text FRONTLINE to 85258

Other digital resources

London’s digital mental wellbeing service, Good Thinking, has put together information to help you manage any concerns you might have about your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. It includes practical tips, links to further support and a checklist video.

Get free access to a number of wellbeing apps such as online peer to peer, team and personal resilience support until the end of December 2020 available through the Our NHS People website. Resources include Silver Cloud, and free mindfulness apps including Unmind, Headspace, Sleepio and Daylight.

NHS psychological treatments

If you do not require urgent support but are still concerned about your mental health, contacting your GP is a good place to start.

You can also refer yourself for free, non-urgent NHS psychological therapy services, also known as IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) services, which provide evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety.

In London, services are ready and open to receive self-referrals for those needing professional support. You can find your local service here.