Local support

Borders

COVID-19 Helpline: 01896 827575

Available to all NHS and HSCP staff, including care home staff working in the statutory, independent and third sectors in the Borders area, and volunteers supporting health and social care services.
Reciprocal arrangements are available for staff who would prefer to seek help through another Board.
Email: here4u@borders.scot.nhs.uk Phone line open: 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri
Face to face meetings available by appointment.

Staff Support and Counselling Service offers an opportunity to talk in confidence about any type of problem.
Available to: all NHS Borders staff
To self refer, email: ohsadmin@borders.scot.nhs.uk
Or tel: 01896 825982.
Service open: 8.30am-4pm, Mon-Fri.

NHS Borders intranet provides information on COVID-19 resources, including guidance, testing, PPE, practical support, FAQs, and mental health and wellbeing support.
Available to: all NHS Borders staff.

Wobble / quiet rooms offer a space for staff to decompress, catch their breath and feel calm.
Available to: all NHS Borders staff
Further information available from line management.

National Helplines

National Wellbeing Helpline for everyone working in health & social care services
Tel: 0800 111 4191

Breathing Space
Tel: 0800 83 85 87

Scottish Borders

Scottish Ambulance Service Borders

Scottish Borders

Employee Assistance Programme (PAM Assist) provides a confidential helpline service offering a range of support and advice including stress counselling and other health related advisory services.
Available to: Scottish Borders Council employees
Helpline open 24hours a day, 7 days a week.

Scottish Borders Council Occupational Health Service
Available to: Scottish Borders Council employees
Referrals to: Askhr@scotborders.gov.uk

Mental Health First Aiders provide confidential support to anyone with concerns about the mental wellbeing of themselves or a fellow employee.
Available to: Scottish Borders Council employees
Tel: 01835 825 038
Email: MHFirstAiders@scotborders.gov.uk

Welfare Benefits Service
Available to: Scottish Borders Council employees
Tel: 01896 661 394
Email: wbs@scotborders.gcsx.gov.uk

Scottish Borders Council website provides staff information on resources, including guidance, FAQs & mental health and wellbeing support
Link: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20027/working_for_us/1010/staff_information_-_coronavirus_covid-19

Scottish Ambulance Service Borders

Here For You COVID-19 Helpline: 0131 451 7445

Phone line open: 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri.

Email: Here4U@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Available to: Scottish Ambulance Service staff based in the Borders.
Scottish Ambulance Service intranet (@SAS) provides updates, guidance and briefings, with a dedicated wellbeing section outlining available resources and support.

Employee Assistance Programme (Help) offers an employee counselling service, provided by trained counselling and welfare practitioners.
Available to: All Scottish Ambulance Service staff and family members residing at home address
Tel: 0800 032 9849
Service open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Link to information and guidance: https://sgcp.helpeap.com/

Occupational Health provides a confidential service for health or work-related health issues via self-referral or management referral.
Available to: All Scottish Ambulance Service staff
Tel: 0131 275 7890 (Then press Option 1)
Email: nss.sasoccupationalhealth@nhs.net
Service open: 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri. Voicemail service operates out with these hours

Be Mindful provides an online mindfulness course to improve mental health & wellbeing.
Available to: All Scottish Ambulance Service staff
Register for programme at: https://www.bemindfulonline.com/scottish-ambulance-registration

Chaplain offers a confidential listening service to support staff (regardless of religious belief)
Available to: All Scottish Ambulance Service staff
Tel: Deacon Michael Ross on 07929 012 832
Service open: 6pm-10pm, Mon, Tues, & Wed.

RUOK? Provides information and resources on intranet @SAS regarding how to support your own and colleagues’ mental health & wellbeing.
Available to: All Scottish Ambulance Service staff
Access through SAS intranet.

The Ambulance Service Charity (TASC) offers mental, physical & financial support for ambulance service staff.
Available to: All ambulance service staff nationally
Freephone: 0800 1032 999 10am-4pm, 7 days a week, with voicemail service out with these hours
Email: support@theasc.org.uk
Link: https://www.theasc.org.uk for further information

Shout is a crisis text line

Text ‘Shout’ to be put in touch with a trained Crisis Volunteer who will chat to you using trained techniques via text.

Available to: Scottish Ambulance Service Staff

Text: 85258, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Service open: 9am-6pm, Mon-Fri.