Positive Approach to Mental Wellbeing Event
On Friday, 23 October 2015 we held our first Employee Wellbeing Event at ECFRS HQ. This event
was organised by our employees for our employees.
We had six guest speakers and a market place set up with lots of information about the support
services available for people who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness.
The event was opened by Cllr Holland, Essex Fire Authority Vice-Chair:
“The Fire Services’ greatest asset is, without a doubt, you. We need to work together as a team
to look after both our physical and mental health. Our physical and mental wellbeing allows us
to protect and safeguard the Essex community. “
Our Acting Chief Fire Officer then provided some statistics and urged all to sign our Mental Wellbeing
pledge book:
“Statistics show that 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any
given year. That’s a powerful statistic in its own right.
Even closer to home is the research that shows that an estimated quarter of a million people
who work in the emergency services are more at risk of experiencing a mental health
problem.”
Mind Blue Light Time to Change Pledge
Mind was awarded funding to develop the Blue Light Programme - to provide mental health support
for emergency services staff and volunteers from police, fire, ambulance and search and rescue
services across England.
As part of this programme, Mind launched their Time to Change Pledge. The scheme sees
emergency services and specialist partner agencies working together to share ideas and schemes
which will help improve mental health in the workplace.
By signing the Blue Light Time to Change pledge we have shown our commitment to challenge
mental health stigma and promote positive wellbeing within ECFRS.
We have joined a growing movement of 300+ employers across different sectors in England who are
working to tackle mental health stigma and help keep their staff well for work.
ECFRS Wellbeing Pledge Book
In addition to the Blue Light Time to Change pledge, we have our own pledge book. This book is
available for all employees to sign and commit to tackling the stigma surrounding mental illness. This
book will be circulated across the Service.
Guest Speakers
We had a number of keynote/ guest speakers as part of the event. They included:
Why mental health support is so important
Jeff Keighley
Supporting your colleagues
Amba Murdamootoo - North Essex Partnership NHS Trust
Firefighters’ Charity
Jill Tolfrey
Mind training programmes
Lisa Beary - Mind
Accessing Psychological Therapies
Clive Gibson - Mid Essex IAPT
How support in the workplace can reduce stress and improve wellbeing
Anne Waters - Women in the Fire Service
Marketplace
That stalls at our marketplace style step up included:
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The Fire Fighters Charity
North Essex Partnership Trust
Mid Essex IAPT
The Fire Brigade Union – Life Long Leanrning
Mind: for better mental health
ECFRS BEING Group
ECFRS Fitness & Wellbeing Team
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ECFRS Human Resources/Workplace Options
ECFRS Learning and Development
We want your feedback!
This is just the first step in our wellbeing journey. Please do let us know what you thought of the
event or if you would like to be a part of our wellbeing group.
Please contact: claire.budgen@essex-fire.gov.uk
Click here to read our Acting Chief Fire Officer, Adam Eckley's blog post about the event.