Samaritans and NHS, working in partnership, have launched a new confidential support line for NHS and social care workers and volunteers in England.
The spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting everyone in the NHS, from nurses, doctors and porters to caterers, procurement teams and service managers, alongside social care workers. For most of us, this isn't like anything anyone's ever experienced before.
Now, more than ever, it’s important that we look after ourselves and each other, which is why we’ve worked in partnership with the NHS in England to launch a confidential wellbeing support line for those working in health and social care.
The support line is run by Samaritans and all calls are answered by trained Samaritans volunteers, who provide confidential, non-judgemental support.
The wellbeing support line is available 7am-11pm , 7 days a week to help NHS and social workers look after themselves, so they can continue to help look after others.
What can I talk about?
If you need to process their experiences during the coronavirus crisis, our volunteers are there for you. That's whether you've had a tough day, are feeling worried or overwhelmed, or just have a lot on your mind.
We listen without judgement, so you can talk to us about anything that’s troubling you. And if you need any practical support or information about other services, such as debt advice or bereavement support, our volunteers can point you in the direction of other useful sources of support.
How does it work?
The confidential support line is open 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week, and is run by dedicated volunteers who are self-isolating following government guidance.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or frightened and you need to talk, Samaritans are there to help. They are not just there for those in crisis. They cross the road to comfort those in distress. They are there to provide calming, gentle and sympathetic support and advice.