Health and Wellbeing News

With light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID vaccines taking centre stage it can be easy to be swept up in the excitement with the prospect of things returning to normal. However, things will not change just yet and it is important to remember to support friends, family and loved ones who may be isolating on their own, or have been shielding for a long time.

We all have varying experiences of lockdown, some have had it particularly hard and it is clear that being in lockdown and isolated for long periods of time can take a toll on our mental health. This is why it is as important as ever to continue to support loved ones that need it during what could be the last stretch of the pandemic.

Ways to continue supporting loved ones

Keep in touch and check in Staying in contact seems an obvious one, but it can be all too easy to let it slip, especially when things are looking up and our own lives can take precedent. However, it is important to just check in every now and then. Just touching base, maybe a message or a quick phone call can make all the difference to someone who is feeling isolated and potentially lonely.

Offer to help out with supplies

If someone is self-isolating, or they need to shield because they may be deemed high risk, make sure you help out where possible with their supplies such as shopping, prescriptions etc. as it otherwise may be difficult for them to get what they want or need.

Have a backup plan

If you are the sole supporter of a loved one helping them with their supplies etc. then it would be a good idea to have a contingency plan for somebody else to take over, if for any reason you were unable to continue helping for a period of time. This way the one you’re supporting won’t go without, but it will also ease some responsibility from your shoulders.

Delivering care

If you are caring for someone and entering their home during the COVID-19 Pandemic it is important to maintain your hygiene standards until it is completely safe. Despite light at the end of the tunnel, you should continue to be as cautious as you can and careful not to bring any unwanted bugs/viruses into that person’s home.

Encourage them

Many of us know, being in lockdown and having our lives disrupted as much as they have can lead to a deterioration of our routines and good habits. Try to keep loved ones motivated and encourage them to be productive, keep a bit of routine and remain active. This will help their wellbeing both physically and mentally.

Entertainment

If your loved ones that are self-isolating aren’t very good with their technology and how to utilise it for entertainment – then show them how. Help get them set up with some things that will help avoid boredom, bring their favourite magazines, newspapers etc. too.

More information

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Continuing to support isolated and lonely loved ones’ this is being delivered live on Friday 15th January at 12pm, please use the following link to register for this session – https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1120805181354911757

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place. If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first.

Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many people with challenges and enormous change in their day to day lives, which in turn can impact our wellbeing. To promote positive wellbeing, Care first provide all staff members in your organisation with access to our Lifestyle website – a comprehensive hub of wellbeing resources including articles, webinar content and interactive tools to help you take control of your own wellbeing. Some of the helpful content is outlined in this article…

Online Counselling –

Care first’s Lifestyle site includes an online counselling portal. If you’re unable to find that private quiet space then this tool will assist you if you are in need of emotional support. The online counselling portal is available Monday to Friday 8am-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm.

Stress Questionnaire –

The Lifestyle Questionnaire Stress test is a quick and easy way of assessing how well you are currently managing the demands of life and work. The total score will provide you with a brief analysis and some suggestions about how to manage your current situation.

Budgeting Calculator –

As well as articles and webinars on topics such as mental health, bereavement and stress, the Lifestyle site also hosts an interactive budgeting calculator. The calculator is very helpful if you are worried about your finances, are planning a new purchase, or simply wish to review your spending to see where you may be able to save money. If you need help using the calculator you can seek the assistance of one of our Telephone Information Specialists, or if you require any emotional support you can speak with a Counsellor in confidence by calling the Care first Freephone number provided by your organisation.

Articles and Information –

The Care first Lifestyle site includes a hub of resources and information on a wide range of topics covering issues at Home, at Work, Health and there is also a Management area providing information for those with leadership responsibilities as part of their role. The Lifestyle site is a great starting point if you are thinking of contacting Care first to learn a bit more about the support we provide, or to gain some useful information about the topic or issue you may be calling with. If you’re not sure what your organisation’s unique log-in details are, please speak with your line manager or HR department.

For more information you can join our live webinar titled ‘Making Positive Changes with Care first Lifestyle on Thursday 14th January 2021 at 12pm. Please use the following link to register your attendance: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7507044692892017678

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same Link above after the webinar has taken place.

Alcohol Awareness for ‘Dry January’ 2021 Dry January is the annual movement through which millions of people give up alcohol for the month of January. It is run by the charity Alcohol Change UK. There is one rule to follow; no alcohol from when you wake up on New Year’s Day until 1 February! Simple right?

Why should you sign up to Dry January?

People who sign up for Dry January, whether online or via the free app are twice as likely to make it through the whole month alcohol-free compared to those who go it alone. With 72% of people who do Dry January still drinking less riskily six months later.

How Alcohol Affects Mental Health:

Alcohol is sometimes used by people to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, but excessive drinking is likely to make those symptoms worse. Alcohol can be considered as a coping mechanism for some individuals who drink to help manage stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. Unfortunately, although alcohol can help us relax and give us a brief feeling of euphoria, the effects are short-lived and the long-term negative consequences of using alcohol in this way can be quite harmful:

• Overuse of alcohol can worsen the symptoms of many mental health problems. In particular, it can lead to low mood and anxiety
• As the immediate feeling of calm after drinking fades over time, we may feel worse than before
• Post-drinking hangovers can be particularly difficult, with the usual headache and nausea being accompanied by feelings of depression and/or anxiety
• Using alcohol in this way can mean that the underlying mental health issues aren’t addressed

If individuals come to rely on alcohol to manage their mental health issues, that reliance can itself become a problem. Individuals may find that their drinking starts to get in the way of other activities and puts a strain on relationships, home life and work – both things that can undermine our mental wellbeing.

Sensible Drinking and Knowing your Limits:

Many of us enjoy a drink, usually when socialising, but around the festive period we may be finding ourselves drinking more. Whilst infrequent drinking shouldn’t do you too much harm, regularly overdoing it is associated with various health risks, so it’s important to know how to enjoy alcohol in moderation.

You may not wish to do a whole month alcohol free but you may wish to cut down. Sensible drinking means knowing what your limits are and being aware of how much you’re drinking. Simply put, sensible drinking means not drinking alcohol to excess.

Excessive alcohol use means the liver becomes overloaded and cannot deal with the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream quickly enough to stop it affecting the rest of the body.

Alcohol can make us feel happy, light-headed and talkative, but at the same time it is also damaging to our bodies. If you drink heavily, you have an increased risk of developing a range of health conditions including inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver, some cancers, high blood pressure, stomach disorders, obesity, and as we’ve mentioned – mental health problems.

How much is too much?

Knowing your units will help you stay in control of your drinking. To keep health risks from alcohol to a low level if you drink most weeks:

• Men and Women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis
• Spread your drinking over 3 or more days if you regularly drink as much as 14 units a week
• If you want to cut down, try to have several alcohol-free days each week
• Pregnant women are advised not to drink alcohol at all. Fourteen units is equivalent to 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine. Tips for cutting down: If you are not ready to completely cut out all alcohol for January here are some tips for cutting down as a starting point, some of which you may already be following due to the Coronavirus restrictions.
• Consider drinking low-alcohol beers, or at least do not drink strong beers or lagers.
• Try pacing the rate of drinking. Perhaps alternate soft drinks with alcoholic drinks.
• If you eat when you drink, you may drink less.
• Don’t stock up on alcohol – having alcohol at home may make it more likely that you’ll have a drink. Try only buying alcohol when you plan to drink it.
• It may be worth reviewing your entire social routine when the lockdown is lifted. For example, consider: – cutting back on types of social activity which would usually involve you drinking. – trying different social activities where drinking is not involved. – reducing the number of days in the week where you go out to drink. – going out to pubs or clubs later in the evening.
• Try to resist any pressure from people who may encourage you to drink more than you really want to. Have more Drink Free Days: ‘Drink Free Days’ is a campaign launched by the UK alcohol charity, Drinkaware. Cutting down the number of days a week we drink is an easy way to have less and feel better.

Having more Drink Free Days each week has many health benefits, such as:

• lower blood pressure
• reduced risk of cancer and heart and liver disease
• weight loss
• better sleep
• improved mental health
• healthier appearance
• increased energy
• save money

Useful Links For More Information:

• https://alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/2019/dry-january-the-evidence
• https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-and-mental
• health www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk www.drinkaware.co.uk
• https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/understand-your-drinking/unit-calculator
• www.alcoholconcern.org.uk www.nhs.uk

We will discuss this topic in more detail during the ‘Dry January – Alcohol Awareness’ webinar on Wednesday 13th January 2021 at 12pm. You can register to join the webinar at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2743267629041864972

If you are unable to attend the live webinar it will be available to watch afterwards, using the same link. If you feel you may need some support, you can also contact Care first.

Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

What is the stigma of mental illness?

Stigma is when someone sees you in a negative way because of your mental illness. Discrimination is when someone treats you in a negative way because of your mental illness. Social stigma and discrimination can make mental health problems worse and stop a person from getting the help they need. (Mental health foundation)

“The impact of stigma is twofold, as outlined in Table1.1. Public stigma is the reaction that the general population has to people with mental illness. Self-stigma is the prejudice which people with mental illness turn against themselves. Both public and self-stigma may be understood in terms of three components: stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination” (World Psychiatry Journal).

Many people who live with poor mental health and diagnosable mental illness such as depression, anxiety and bi polar disorder say they have experienced discrimination and social stigma at some level and this can make their difficulties worse and make it harder to recover.

Mental health problems are both common and costly and affect thousands of people in the UK, and their friends, families, work colleagues and society in general.

10% of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental
health condition.

Many people who experience mental health problems can recover fully, or are able to live with and manage, especially if they are able to access help early on.

Society in general has stereotyped views about mental illness and how it affects people. Often there is a belief that people with mental ill health are violent and dangerous, when in fact they are more at risk of being attacked or harming themselves than harming other people.

There are many factors that affect our mental health and wellbeing and some of these are linked to:

• Social isolation
• Poor housing
• Unemployment
• Poverty

There is also the “nature (our genes) vs nurture (our upbringing and environment)” debate which looks at the how they impact our mental health and wellbeing.

From poor mental health, mental illness can develop and professional help is needed, not just to help, but to diagnose where appropriate

Everyone’s experience of their “situation or illness” is unique to them…one size does not fit all in this case! Therefore, it is important to treat each person as an individual in their own unique situation as we may not know what “risk factors” have contributed to their current “state”. We all see the same world, but we all see that world through different eyes.

The World Health Organisations Diagnostic and Management Guidelines stresses that the approach to mental health should be same as to physical health and states that “All people with mental disorders have the right to receive high-quality treatment and care delivered through responsive health care services. They should be protected against any form of inhuman treatment and discrimination” (WHO).

The Six Equality Strands are protected characteristics from the Equalities Act 2020 they cover the following:

• Mental health and age
• Mental Health and gender
• Mental health and disability
• Mental health, race and ethnicity
• Mental health and religion or belief
• Mental Health and sexuality

We can help to put right the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health and illness by being open to and accepting of the 6 points above. It is about suspending our own beliefs, values and attitudes and seeing the person as a person first and foremost, their illness should not be the thing that defines them.

We should listen to what is being said. This approach goes a long way to allowing the individual to “tell their story” without interruption or judgement.

It is important to remember that mental illness is common and that 1 in 4 of us are likely to experience some form of mental illness.

It is okay to feel sad, down, low or miserable – these are all normal emotions with which we can all identify with. Remember it is “okay not to be okay” and be able to talk about that openly

If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support.

Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Breaking the stigma of Mental Health’ this is being delivered live on Tuesday 12th January at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5651122941279953933

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed
using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious. Mental Health support during times like these are paramount, which is why Care first have worked tirelessly to ensure our services remain available 24/7 throughout the pandemic to provide emotional and practical support and ensure we have every aspect of your overall wellbeing covered. Where clinically appropriate Care first are continuing to offer structured counselling through phone and virtual software. At Care first the health and safety of both you the employee and our counselling team are absolutely paramount, any changes to our structured counselling process will be made in line with government guidance.

These services include:

Counselling support

Our team of professionally trained, qualified and BACP Accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to offer support for personal or workplace related issues. As well as the headline issues surrounding mental health, our Care first counsellors are also trained in dealing with both work and home grievances, bullying & harassment issues, domestic violence, relationships at both home and at work and much more. No matter how big or small the problem may be, our counsellors are here for you to provide you with unbiased support away from the situation. Everyone has very individual needs for support, Care first provides short term focused counselling, so the Care first Counsellor will assess your
circumstances when you call to establish what the most appropriate form of support will be for you. It might be that you just need a brief conversation with the Counsellor that day, or you may benefit from a few more sessions.

Information Specialists

As control, or the lack of it, can be an influencing factor on the impact of stress. Many individuals identify stress as emotional, however, a lack of control around practical issues can be just as impactful. We have expert advisors that have been trained by Citizens Advice who can provide you with comprehensive answers and assistance on a wide range of practical issues which can affect our daily life, these include but are not limited to; redundancy, advice on funerals and probate, legal information, housing and tenancy issues, childcare, eldercare, health, consumer issues, employment, travel and education. Our Information Specialists are also money trained experts and can provide support with a variety of financial queries such as help with budgeting finances and advice with benefits. You can speak with one of our Information Specialists confidentially Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm.

Management Support

If you are a manager, have leadership responsibilities, or look after a team within your organisation, it is as important as ever that your colleagues are made aware of the range of support available from Care first. As well as supporting you to signpost your colleagues to the Care first service effectively to maintain your managerial boundaries, Care first can
also provide you with support within your role as a manager. Care first Counsellors are all management trained and can provide support with issues such as if the organisation is going through a period of redundancy, managing change and difficult conversations, workplace performance, remote working, absence management and disciplinaries.

Care first Lifestyle

Through the Care first lifestyle site you can access a wide range of supportive information, read helpful articles published by our team, view Webinars covering a variety of well-being topics and even speak with a Care first Counsellor in real-time via our online counselling facility. You can log into your account by visiting www.carefirstlifestyle.co.uk and logging in using your organisation’s unique log in details. If you are unsure what these details are
then please contact your line manager or HR department. The Care first Lifestyle website is great place to go to learn more about Care first and the different areas that we can support in.

Care first Zest

With clinically proven intrinsic links between our physical and mental health, Care first Zest provides an interactive health and wellbeing management tool that can help individuals manage and improve all aspects of their mental and physical health. Care first Zest is also an effective means of pro-actively supporting the wellbeing of your team. You
can complete the Care first Zest wellbeing assessment which looks at factors including exercise, healthy eating, sleep, smoking, caffeine intake and the amount of water you drink to name a few. The assessment then gives you a score on the different areas and you can see which areas you need to improve on. The idea is that if you can improve the areas
you did not score well on then this will have a positive effect on your physical and mental wellbeing.

To find out more about Care first Zest please view the webinar which can be found via this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2558790467075481100

Care first Woebot

For some people, picking up the telephone to talk with a counsellor is a terrifying experience. Sometimes, when we most need it, we find it the most difficult time to talk with another human. Finding support earlier rather than later is often the best way to manage issues of low mood. Woebot is an AI tool which provides a truly unique way to help identify issues and learn new strategies to cope and reduce the possibilities of those issues escalating into something bigger, without the need to pick up the phone. Woebot works by programmatically learning how to deliver the most impactful content at the most impactful time to optimise positive clinical outcomes for its user.

To find out more about Care first Woebot please view the webinar which can be found via this link: https://youtu.be/3oFyFclUEWU

How all of these above services link together

As you can see from the above table, all the services that we offer complement each other to ultimately encompass an individual’s overall mental and physical wellbeing, which enables individuals to access professional and clinically proven support.

Our counselling support is available 24/7 to help individuals with any emotional issues that they may have.

Our Information Specialists can help individuals with practical information and advice. This practical support is so important because if an individual is concerned about a practical issue, then this can cause detrimental effects to their emotional wellbeing. By getting some support from an Information Specialist this will provide the individual with some clarity on that particular issue, which may help them to feel more in control of a situation and relieve some anxiety.

The Care first Lifestyle site can help individuals who are concerned about an issue. The individual may not know where to start and they can have a look at the resources on our Lifestyle website which may be enough to help them. The Lifestyle website is a great starting place to learn about the types of issues that Care first can support with. The individual can also access our online counselling tool through the Lifestyle website which is an alternative way to access support from a counsellor. By an individual looking through all the resources on our Lifestyle website this can help them to get answers about an issue they may be having. Again by getting some clarity on their issue this may have a positive effect on their mental wellbeing.

The Care first Zest platform is great for improving physical as well as emotional wellbeing. So if an individual takes the wellbeing assessment and then works on the areas that may need some focus. This can then improve their overall wellbeing. Many studies show a link between physical and mental wellbeing, so giving individuals access to this platform
enables them to make positive changes.

The Care first AI tool Woebot is a great way for individuals to get support around low mood and anxiety. If Woebot does not detect a positive clinical outcome then Woebot will suggest that the individual speaks to a Care first counsellor if they would like to. Not every individual will feel confident enough to pick up the phone and speak to a counsellor so it
is an alternative option for individuals to access support.

If you would like to learn more about ‘How Care first can support you’ then please join our webinar on Monday 11th January at 12pm using the details below –
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4749899439479770893

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place. If you wish to contact the Care first telephone counselling and information line then please don’t hesitate to call the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in
confidence.

Monday Jan 11th 2021 ‘How Care first can support you’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4749899439479770893

Tuesday Jan 12th 2021 ‘Breaking the stigma of Mental Health’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5651122941279953933

Wednesday Jan 13th 2021 ‘Alcohol Awareness in line with ‘Dry January’’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2743267629041864972

Thursday Jan 14th 2021 ‘Making positive changes to your wellbeing with Care first Lifestyle’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7507044692892017678

Friday Jan 15th 2021 ‘Continuing to support Isolated and Lonely loved ones’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1120805181354911757

Monday Jan 4th 2021 ‘How Care first can support you’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7413410282674566669

Tuesday Jan 5th 2021 ‘Making realistic New Year’s Resolutions’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4875437279205720336

Wednesday Jan 6th 2021 ‘Maintaining Relationships in the New Year’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3773607880802829580

Thursday Jan 7th 2021 ‘Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4945826913991291405

Friday Jan 8th 2021 ‘Budgeting for the year ahead’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4508259769039920398

Tuesday Dec 29th 2020 ‘Keeping positive for the year ahead’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1053849321093692173

Wednesday Dec 30th 2020 ‘Alcohol Awareness’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/165601156013029904

Thursday Dec 31st 2020 ‘New Year New You’ at 12pm-12.30pm. To register please use the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3720878601476173840

Keeping in touch with friends, family and loved ones over lockdown is important for our mental health. But with COVID-19 restrictions in place over the festive period we may not be able to see everyone we want to.

We are having to adapt this year and think outside the box to make the most of the festivities by using technology and getting creative with how to celebrate. Below are a few things to consider for the upcoming celebrations.

Using technology

Technology has been utilised more than ever during periods of lockdown. This has enabled us to stay in touch with friends and loved ones. There are a huge range of different ways to use it to keep up to date with goings on in your social life, see some below:

Messaging – A good old fashioned message to a friend or loved one can go a long way, whether it’s a long conversation or just simply checking in to wish a Merry Christmas or a Happy New Year, either way you’re letting people know you are thinking of them. Send a photo or two and share the festivities, this will keep everyone in touch and feel involved.

Call/Video – Call Video calling is more popular than ever, especially during lockdown and there is a reason for it. Seeing someone’s face when speaking to them makes the exchange feel more natural and engaging. It can also be the preferred method for people less technically able as it is easier to use.

Video calling is a great way to get the whole family together during times of restrictions without breaking the government guidelines. You will be able to create group video calls to ensure you can get everyone in.

You can get inventive and host your Christmas dinner remotely, each with their own food. Arrange a time and you can all enjoy a virtual meal together. Another possibility is opening your gifts together so everyone can share in the enjoyment. Play a game of remote charades and share bad cracker jokes, the list goes on!

There is no shortage of ways to use the modern video call, you can bring this into your Christmas day to make it as inclusive and social as possible.

Social Media – Although it is argued that social media is detrimental to mental health as it exposes us to negativity, it can also be used for good. Social media is a great way to share positivity and festive cheer with friends and family.

You can keep friends and family updated with your festivities by posting photos, videos or merry status’ it’s completely up to you. If you’d prefer to do so privately you can send photos directly to whoever you’d like.

This will help people share in the festivities even if they are stuck in isolation on their own, it may help them to enjoy the Christmas period.

More Information

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Staying connected and celebrating festivities differently’ this is being delivered live on Tuesday 22nd December at 12pm, please use the following link to register for this session – https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2409549357164742413

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

Most of us are aware of the risks posed to lone/remote workers with regards to physical safety, but what about Mental Health? How can we support employees and help ourselves? Lone and remote working has always been a talking point with regards to mental health. Is it good for us? How much of an affect does it have on our mental health? Does it really have a negative impact on the work force?

When you are working from home, rather than an office, the most common problems can be summarised as follows:

 Blurred boundaries between your work and home life
 Feelings of isolation
 Lack of collaboration
 Difficulty creating cultures in remote team

It is common to be aware of people who work alone e.g., domiciliary/home care workers, personal assistants (PAs), live-in carers, supported living workers, drivers, staff that work remotely on the same site as their team members e.g., residential/nursing homes, overnight workers (sleep-in and awake), social workers, community care assessors.

However, now more than ever as a nation we have all become somewhat lone workers through the pandemic. Whether that be from wearing copious amounts of PPE, or up routing your daily lives and starting to work from home. With many staff experiencing new routines, e.g., working from home for the first time or perhaps if you are a frontline worker you were not even able to go home, with all of that comes a multitude of feelings including; anxiety and stress perhaps due to the building feelings of uncertainty, lack of motivation, loneliness and/or fear.

It is also extremely common for lone/remote workers to find challenges in everyday communications. Many say that it can be more difficult to discuss issues or challenges that they are experiencing, and to catch up with colleagues. They can experience increased stress levels through feeling the burden of decision making and not having other colleagues present to seek advice and discuss different options. For live-in carers, there could be a sense of feeling ‘penned in’ within a person’s home, and finding it difficult to relax, particularly if living in rural areas or somewhere with few socialising opportunities. Lone workers also said that they can feel more pressure to work when they are unwell because it can be harder to cover absences. This can also lead to lone workers taking on more work if no-one else is available, especially at short notice. It is important that
employers understand how employees feel, so that you can address any issues or concerns early and avoid them escalating to a point that affects someone’s mental health and wellbeing. Lone workers can have less opportunity to share pressures and can feel they carry sole responsibility for everything they do. Staff who work alone are more likely to continue working when they should rest, due to the responsibility that they shoulder for their roles.

Whether you work alone on a regular basis (pre-pandemic and post-pandemic) or whether you have been thrust into the working way due to lockdowns. It is important to remember that every day you will be building positives through the tasks and roles you complete. It will naturally build your Resilience, Accountability, Responsibility, Self-reliance,  Reliability, Humility, Resourcefulness, Independence, Timeliness and more. It will
show your employers how brilliantly calm and honest you are in difficult situations. So, remember it is not all negative.

Employers can help by building confidence with employees to help with making decisions independently, employers should be checking on employee’s resilience and mental wellbeing as a lone worker, ensuring personal safety and making sure staff have the correct training e.g., conflict resolution and managing challenging situations alone, when needed.

There are also ways we can support each other, make sure you are keeping in touch with colleagues, management and even people you would not normally communicate with, make sure you are making the most of resources available to you e.g., your EAP. Ensure regular communication between lone working colleagues via phone calls, text messages and social media, (virtual) Coffee mornings, Group training, Team meetings, Social media, Online chats/forums, Team development days or lunches, sharing learning with each
other. Keep safe by following your organisation’s lone worker policies and training, if you have this within your organisation.

And finally remember it is important to understand your feelings and always look after your mental health and wellbeing.

If you are feeling lonely due to remote or lone working remember human beings are naturally social, so being lonely is not good for us. It can contribute to feelings of anxiety, stress and depression, and have a negative impact on our mental health. Feeling lonely and isolated affects our self-esteem, and we can think that people will not want to talk to us or be friends. Often these feelings can spill over into our work or home lives.

Remember you will not feel like this forever – it is just the loneliness talking.

How can I stop feeling lonely?

Think about what you would like more of. Time with friends or family?

 Skype with friends and family to still stay connected
 Enjoy regular exercise or walks, please be aware of the government guidance
around COVID-19.
 Drink plenty of water and eat well, a health body will support your immune system
and ensure you mind is healthy
 Spend time reading and enjoying
 Chat and community forums

If lone or remote working is getting you down, talking to someone can really help. You may want to consider counselling support to explore how you are feeling. You can access EAP services provided by Care first 24/7 via the Freephone number.

Some of the information sourced for this article was originally published by skillsforcare.org. If you would like to access this and further information in more detail please follow the link below –

https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Documents/Leadership-and-management/Lone-working/Supporting-staffthat-regularly-work-alone.pdf

For more information and discussion on this topic please see this webinar using the following link –
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3433844494150689549