Introducing a national well-being service for emergency responders in the United Kingdom

Hesketh, Ian and Cooper, Cary L. (2020) Introducing a national well-being service for emergency responders in the United Kingdom. In: Handbook of Research on Stress and Well-Being in the Public Sector :. Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., Cheltenham, pp. 260-274. ISBN 9781788970341

Abstract

This chapter details the introduction and practical delivery of an evidence-based well-being service for UK emergency service responders. It is based on the authors’ decades of research and practical experience in emergency response work. It details the many facets of a national well-being program and the nuances of applying these in an emergency services setting. The authors provide a forthright account of their learning, from the conception, piloting and live-service delivery stages of this program of work. These include some insightful reflections that will be useful for those seeking to research or implement such schemes of large-scale work. The impact of this initiative cannot be underestimated, with improvements across the board in a whole range of well-being interventions. These include psychological screening, trauma risk management and peer support programs. The chapter seeks to highlight that drawing on expertise and the support of key stakeholders is essential in adopting a whole-system approach as an effective means by which to improve workplace well-being and reduce stress.