Local support

Lothian

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.

Further information about the Staff Support and Counselling Service can be found on the NHS Lothian Intranet.

Peer Support
Peer support is available to all staff. Peer Supporters are trained to listen to your feelings and concerns in a way that provides immediate, short-term support.
Available to: all NHS Lothian and Social Care staff within the Lothians.
Email: peersupport@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Link: https://staff.nhslothian.scot/staffsupport/staff-wellbeing/fast-access/

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

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.

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

National Helplines

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

Breathing Space
Tel: 0800 83 85 87

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 internet site provides wellbeing support, and health and wellbeing tools, tips and resources.
Link: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/work-us/coronavirus-colleague-wellbeing-support

Online Directory (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council) details 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
Link: https://directory.evoc.org.uk/

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

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

The Staying Well Service is a portal to a range of wellbeing support. Once you contact the Staying Well Service, our Wellbeing Team will triage your needs and direct you to the most relevant support. This support could come from one of our Wellbeing team or from an external organisation.
You can contact the Staying Well Service by emailing sas.stayingwell@nhs.scot
Further information can be found on the SAS intranet.

The Ambulance Staff Crisis Phoneline provides ongoing suicide and mental health care for all UK ambulance staff.
Tel: 0300 373 0898
Phoneline open: 24/7, 365 days a year
Further information: https://www.theasc.org.uk/crisis/

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.

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.

Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) is a confidential, peer-led support process for anyone affected by a traumatic or potentially traumatic event at work. TRiM uses a ‘watchful waiting’ approach, with check-ins around 72 hours and again at 28 days, to identify ongoing distress and offer further support through Occupational Health if needed.
You can find information about accessing TRiM on the SAS intranet.

Scottish Ambulance Service intranet (@SAS) provides updates, guidance and briefings, with a dedicated wellbeing section outlining available resources and support.