Support programme needed ‘more than ever’

16 April 2020

Hertfordshire Police Federation secretary Al Wollaston says the Welfare Support Programme (WSP) could be needed ‘more than ever’ during the coronavirus pandemic.

With that in mind, Al says he is pleased the 24/7 service it offers is continuing to provide critical support to officers.

“It is great news that the service is running normally during such unprecedented times,” says Al. “There is the real likelihood that officers will be called to more incidents involving deaths due to the COVID-19 outbreak and also that they will be working longer hours to cover colleagues who may be off work.

“There is also the potential for them to be facing difficulties at home as families face home-schooling and financial issues during the Government restrictions too.

“There could be officers facing up to tremendous stress, worry and anxiety and it is our job to support them as much as we can. The Welfare Support Programme is part of a range of services available to our members so they can access support, advice and a sympathetic ear during whatever issues they may be facing up to.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) doubled funding for the WSP earlier this year and the line is staffed day and night by professionals trained in police discipline and with an awareness of mental health first aid and Post-Incident Procedures.

Officers or close family members can be referred to the service, which is operated in partnership with the Police Firearms Officers’ Association, by a Federation rep and, if needed, given access to counsellors and coaches too.

Steve Hartshorn, the PFEW operational policing lead, said: “Police officers are human just like everyone else and when you are going through added stress at work and you’re unable to see your nearest and dearest it can be tough. Not to mention if your household has lost income due to a partner’s work drying up.”

Steve called the WSP an ‘enormously important resource’ for members throughout the UK and added: “To have access to trained professionals who can listen and provide non-judgemental, objective advice can be a lifeline – and in fact the service has already saved several lives. That’s why the Federation has put serious financial resources behind it.”

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