Force supports wellbeing podcasts

21 December 2020

The Force has joined forces with Oscar Kilo and Fortis Therapy and Training to produce a series of wellbeing podcasts.

The interviews are titled Keeping the Peace and aim to encourage discussions around police wellbeing.

The five podcasts cover a range of subjects including cancer, working from home, managing change, bereavement and stress.

Alexis Powell-Howard, of Grimsby-based Fortis Therapy and Training, is a BACP-accredited psychotherapist who hosts the series and has already worked in partnership with Humberside Police Federation to provide support to members.

Alexis explained: “We’ve worked therapeutically with police officers and staff for many years and so have heard first-hand the challenges officers can face.

“The idea for developing these interviews came off the back of Keeping the Peace training which we have delivered to hundreds of officers and staff.  

“We never cease to be impressed by how officers face challenges every day and how they are driven to serve the public. They really do see the worst of people and the best of them.

“While undertaking this role and way of life, they’re also managing their own lives and their own trials and tribulations that can happen along the way.

“We want these interviews to represent accurately how it is to be in the force, and for it to be easily accessible, to keep the wellbeing conversation going, in a fun, informal way.

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

Chief Constable Andy Rhodes, service director for Oscar Kilo, the home of the national police wellbeing service, said: “The types of issues officers can face can be some of the most difficult and challenging in society – they have the potential to see the best and the very worst of humanity, whilst trying to lead normal lives.

“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.

“Working with Humberside Police and Fortis Therapy and Training, we’ve been able to bring you the first short series of interviews and we’re thankful to everyone involved for their work on this, and especially, to those officers and staff who have shared their stories with us.”

Lee Freeman, Chief Constable of Humberside Police, said: “Within our Force, the wellbeing of our staff remains our number one priority. Everyone works extremely hard to protect the public and have the right to expect we’ll support them, value them and ensure their voices are heard.

“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.

“These podcasts will also be a great asset for our leadership team who have the responsibility of ensuring those who work alongside them are supported.”

The episodes are available through most major podcast providers.

Find out more and listen to the interviews.