Local support

Lothian

Here 4 U Helpline

Confidential wellbeing and psychological support for NHS Lothian and Health and Social Care Partnership staff, including staff providing care to others in the community and in residential homes operated by the HSCPs.

To book a telephone or video appointment, email or call and leave a message and one of the team will get back to you to arrange a time to speak.

Phoneline: open any time to leave a message for callback
Email: Here4U@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Tel: 0131 451 7445

Financial Welfare Advisor
A financial welfare advisor is available to offer dedicated support and advice to any NHS Lothian staff member who may be struggling with the cost of living. Search for ‘Financial Wellbeing Advisor’ on the NHS Lothian Intranet for further details.
You can access this service by calling 01506 445240
If you have any queries about contacting this service, please email staffhealth@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

NHS Food Pantries
Unison, in partnership with NHS Lothian Charity and the Edinburgh and East Lothian food projects, are providing food pantries to support staff amid the rise in the cost of living. The food pantries are available across seven NHS Lothian sites and are available to you whether or not you are a Unison member. Food boxes are available from designated areas on each site, and are filled with a selection of food tailored to the size of your family and designed to last 3 days.
The pantries are available at the following locations: Little France Campus; St John’s Hospital; Royal Edinburgh Hospital; Western General Hospital; Astley Ainslie; Midlothian Community Hospital; East Lothian Community Hospital.
For more details, including opening times and site contacts, please follow this link.

Listening Service is an appointment-based listening service offering a place to explore your thoughts and feelings in a non-judgemental and safe environment. Whatever concerns you have, the staff listening service is there to offer confidential support from a member of the spiritual care team, and to signpost to specialist services if appropriate.

The listening service is available across NHS Lothian and runs on six hospital sites (RIE, RHSC, REH, WGH, ELCH and SJH). Appointments last up to 50 minutes and are available across these sites Monday-Friday (except Friday afternoons). Staff can book in to a session on any site. Follow-up sessions can be made with your listener.

Phone or email to self-refer or book in.
Available to: all NHS and HSCP staff
Tel: 0131 242 1990 (21990)
Email: stafflistening@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Phone line open: 9am and 9pm, 7 days a week.

Staff Support and Counselling Service offers an opportunity to talk in confidence about any type of problem.
Available to: all NHSL staff.
To self refer, email: OHSCS@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk (please state ‘Self-Referral’ in subject line).
Tel: 0131 5361135 Option 3
Service open: 8.30am-3.45pm, Mon-Fri.

NHS Lothian intranet provides information on COVID-19 resources, including guidance, FAQs and mental health and wellbeing support.

Lothian Staff Support Helpline: 0131 451 7445
Callback service available to all NHS and HSCP staff.

Call or email Here4U@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk and leave a message

City of Edinburgh

East Lothian

West Lothian

Midlothian

Scottish Ambulance Service Lothian

City of Edinburgh

Employee Assistance Programme (PAM Assist) provides confidential telephone-based support to employees, including access to a range of online financial guidance.
Available to: all City of Edinburgh Council employees only
Telephone: 0800 882 4102
Service open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Let’s Talk provides a team of internal coaches to help with issues such as resilience, finding solutions, getting unstuck and learning something new.
Available to: all City of Edinburgh Council employees only
Tel: 24/7 on 0800 882 4102
Email: letstalk@edinburgh.gov.uk
Service open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

City of Edinburgh Council intranet (The Orb) provides information on COVID-19 resources and support for physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

City of Edinburgh Council internet site provides COVID-19 wellbeing support, health and wellbeing tools, tips and resources.
Link: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/coronavirus-4/coronavirus-colleague-wellbeing-support/1

Online Directory and Interactive Maps (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council) detail the range of support available for people across Edinburgh, including information on income, food, mental health and wellbeing, physical activity and faith.
Available to: all
Links: https://directory.evoc.org.uk/ and https://edinburghcouncil.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/

CEC Debt Advice Team offers free confidential and impartial advice.
Tel: 0131 200 2360
Email: advice.shop@edinburgh.gov.uk

East Lothian

Employee Assistance Programme (PAM Assist)
Available to: all East Lothian Council employees
Telephone: 0800 882 4102
Service open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

East Lothian Council intranet and newsletter provides information on resources, including guidance, FAQs & mental health and wellbeing support.

Income maximisation Team offers help with money or debt problems.
Tel: 01620 827 827 and ask for Welfare Rights team to make an appointment
Link: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210626/welfare_rights/12090/welfare_rights_and_advice

Scottish Welfare Fund offers crisis grants for living expenses.
Link: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210559/council_tax_and_benefits/12369/the_scottish_welfare_fund

West Lothian

West Lothian Council staff intranet provides a wide range of information and support to employees in relation to the current COVID-19 crisis including advice, support, resources and learning opportunities to support wellbeing.

Employee Assistance Programme (Help Employee Assistance Programme) provides a free and confidential counselling and advice helpline service.
Available to: all WLC employees
Service open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Access information available on intranet.

Workplace Chaplaincy Service provides a listening ear and wellbeing support as required
Available to: all WLC staff
Jean Thomson, Chaplain Tel: 07810 178048 Email: jeankthomson@hotmail.com
Paul Wilson, Lead Chaplain Tel: 07703 585987 Email: paul.wilson@wpcscotland.co.uk

Occupational Health (Optima) provides guidance for employees, including live exercise classes and Youtube videos on back care and wellbeing.
Available to: WLC employees
Access via WLC intranet
Physiotherapy advice accessed via line manager.

Money Advice Service offers free, impartial and confidential advice to anyone experiencing financial stress or worry.
Available to: WLC employees
Self refer using online form at: www.westlothian.gov.uk/money-worries
Or phone Gillian Pearson on 01506 283000
Further help is available here

West Lothian Council Domestic and Sexual Abuse Team offers guidance and advice to people affected by domestic or sexual abuse.
Available to: WLC employees
Tel: 01506 281 055
Email: dasat@westlothian.gov.uk

West Lothian Women’s Aid
Tel: 01506 41372
Email: info@wlwa.org.uk
Link: www.wlwa.org.uk

Midlothian

Reach Out Phone Line offers psychological and emotional support
Available to: NHS and MLC staff working within MHSCP, third sector staff and carers
Tel: 0131 285 9600
Email: Reachout@midlothian.gov.uk
Service open: 12pm-2pm, Mon-Friday or email to arrange another time (within normal working hours).

Employee Assistance Programme (Workplace Options) offers up to 4 free counselling sessions, 4 free coaching sessions, advice and support on coping with stress, work/life balance and advice on topics including childcare, older people care and relationship issues.
Available to: Midlothian Council employees
Tel: 020 8989 6550 Minicom: 020 8987 6574
Email: assistance@workplaceoptions.com
Link: www.workplaceoptions.com

Midlothian Mental Health & Wellbeing Services (Health in Mind) offer a range of services and supports, including an early intervention crisis line.
Early Intervention Crisis Line Tel: 0131 663 5533
Phone line open: 4pm-10pm, Mon-Fri and 10am-4pm, Sat–Sun
Website: https://midspace.co.uk/

Midlothian Council intranet provides information on resources, including guidance, FAQs & mental health and wellbeing support.

Midlothian Council Welfare Rights Service offers welfare rights and benefits checks, basic debt and housing advice and access to a specialist McMillan Cancer Support Adviser to assist with money or debt problems.
Tel: 0131 271 3594 to make an appointment or Referral via Contact Centre 0131 271 3900.

Scottish Welfare Fund offers crisis grants for living expenses.
Tel: 0131 270 5600
Links: https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/612/benefits_and_grants/208/scottish_welfare_fund
and www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund

Citizen Advice offers free and confidential advice on debt, benefits and welfare checks.
Dalkeith office Tel: 0131 660 1636 Link: https://www.cas.org.uk/bureaux/dalkeith-and-district-citizens-advice-bureau
Penicuik office Tel: 01968 675259 Link: https://www.cas.org.uk/bureaux/penicuik-citizens-advice-bureau

Scottish Ambulance Service Lothian

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 Lothian.

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.