Newsletter

Looking after you

At this time of crisis, you are stepping up as you always do to keep the public safe. Our job as a Federation is to ensure that you have the support you need and that your voice is heard.

There has been some fantastic work going on - at a local and national level. A colleague in Dorset introduced Personal Protective Equipment boxes that are topped up after each shift - an example of best practice that other forces are following.

Local Federation branches have been delivering snacks and drinks to working officers, signposting them to mental, physical and financial help that is available.

I represent you at COVID-19 briefings with fellow policing stakeholders, and we have been making progress in PPE, coronavirus testing for officers, seeking clarity on guidance , and sharing best practice. We will get through this together and emerge stronger. Please stay safe and continue to look after one another.

Simon Kempton

Operational Policing Lead, National Treasurer
Police Federation of England and Wales

#ThankYouPolice

Recognition is being given to the amazing work being done by officers during the pandemic. Some well-known faces have come forward to offer their words of support.

Four-time Olympian and BBC Ski Sunday commentator Chemmy Alcott is amongst those who have thanked officers and recognised you are all “working unimaginable hours.” Chemmy’s video message will be launched later this week with more to follow. Watch this space.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 18-24 May. The theme is kindness and we are asking you to help drive conversations on mental health. We will be signposting you to a variety of sources of help on our website, providing tips to support you, especially in these difficult and uncertain times.

Click on the button below to find out how you can look after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Looking after your mental health

WSP – a lifeline for officers in need
The Federation recently announced additional funding for its vital Welfare Support Programme (WSP). This has been a lifeline for many officers in their times of need. Available to Federation reps and members - referral is through your local branch board.

Coming soon – video Q&A with Mark Williams, Police Firearms Officers’ Association on what the service involves and how it has saved lives.

Find out more

Hear Man Up, Think Man Down
Emergency service workers are twice as likely than the public to identify problems at work as the main cause of their mental health problems, but they are also significantly less likely to seek help. This Federation campaign seeks to increase awareness of this very real problem in policing, to work with forces and other organisations to provide you with information to help yourself and your colleagues - to reach out when help is needed.

Find out more

Your Federation, Your Reps

We realise that for many this will be an especially worrying time. Federation Reps are working hard to fight for you around protective kit, working conditions, mental health and more. While you keep the public safe, we’re proud to be here for you. This is an exceptionally busy time and your Fed Rep is being inundated with calls, on top of doing their day job. If someone isn’t immediately available to talk, there is a host of info and support available online.

Where to find support and assistance

There are a whole range of support resources out there, a selection of which are given below. Click on the logos and you'll be taken to the respective website where you'll find the help on offer.

COVID-19 wellbeing page on our website
We are constantly updating and adding to the information on our website for you to access and use. Subjects cover all COVID-19 related issues as well as key information to help with physical, mental, financial or general wellbeing support.

The website also provides an insight into the work the Federation carries out on behalf of you, our members. The latest news section provides updates on the issues and concerns faced by officers every day.

Our work

Online ‘Individual Resilience Workshops’
Oscar Kilo has so far hosted two online workshops via their website to help support officers deal with the current challenges they are facing. Feedback has been really positive, and the next session is on Thursday 7 May at 11am.

It’s really important that you try to build up your own resilience to help face challenges, including fear, loss and isolation. Places are limited to please click the button below for more details.

Resilience workshops

College of Policing - COVID-19 Hub

Read the latest frontline policing updates and resources from the College of Policing – understanding the law – PPE – interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects – looking after yourself.

NHS Volunteer Responders scheme

Police staff, along with those from other emergency services, have now joined health and social care professionals in England in being able to refer any vulnerable patients who are self-isolating to NHS Volunteer Responders for help with tasks such as collecting shopping and prescribed medicines, driving patients to medical appointments or transporting supplies between sites.

The scheme is already helping thousands of people every day and hundreds of thousands of volunteers are available to help. You can make referrals through the NHS Volunteer Responders referrers’ portal.

NHS Volunteer Responders

Share your COVID-19 experiences
We want to hear about your experiences of policing during this unusual time. Please get in touch with the Federation to tell us your positives and the negatives, highs and lows, so that we can help give credit where it's due as well as highlight injustices. Email the HQ Comms Team at communications@polfed.org with your stories.

Stay safe online

We have recently received a lot of reports of phishing emails. Phishing emails may appear to come from a legitimate source and may request personal information like account numbers or passwords. The link below is advice issued by the UK Government.

Reps can access the advice given by the PFEW IT Team here.

How to avoid phishing scams

If you’re a Rep…
In response to the crisis we are starting online training and mentoring for Reps. The Learning & Development team, based at Leatherhead, will provide guidance with day-to-day challenges in Phase 1, and online mentoring in Phase 2. Details can be found by clicking on the button below.

Online mentoring