Oscar Kilo podcasts promote officer wellbeing

21 December 2020

Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, shines a light on some of its recent projects and looks ahead to 2021, in its winter newsletter.

The newsletter looks at a new series of podcasts aimed at encouraging discussions around police wellbeing.

Produced by Oscar Kilo, Humberside Police and Grimsby-based Fortis Therapy and Training, the podcasts feature officers and staff sharing their experiences of cancer, working from home, managing change, bereavement and stress.

Chief Constable Andy Rhodes, Oscar Kilo service director, said: “These conversations are specifically about being in the police force and the personal stories, perspectives and ideas of the individuals within it.

“It’s really important to us to make these conversations as accessible as we can, at any time to offer people the opportunity to listen wherever and whenever suits them.”

Lee Freeman, Chief Constable of Humberside Police, said: “We want to inspire and inform officers, staff and the public, by creating a conversation and capturing the experiences of people within policing – their stories and the realities.

“We hope it will encourage understanding of self, others and wellbeing including ideas, strategies, tips and coping mechanisms and create a more informed narrative about being a member of the police force.”

Alexis Powell-Howard, of Grimsby-based Fortis Therapy and Training, is a BACP-accredited psychotherapist who hosts the series.

Alexis said: “We are sharing personal stories, capturing ideas, strategies, and ways of maintaining wellbeing to hopefully inspire officers, staff and the public.” 

The newsletter examines how you can improve the quality of your rest with the help of a series of webinars from Oscar Kilo and sleep scientist Dr Sophie Bostock.

The Better Sleep webinars aim to support police officers, staff and volunteers with sleep and fatigue problems.

The newsletter looks at Oscar Kilo’s Psychological Risk Assessment Programme and gives updates on its outreach service and its Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dogs project.

It also looks at the Oscar Kilo awards, the Emergency Services Trauma Intervention programme and its Peer Support programme.