Introducing Validium – providing support for officers

22 April 2021

Serving officers, staff and Specials subscribing to the Humberside Group Insurance Scheme (GIS) now have 24/7 access to a confidential and independent counselling service.

Provided by The Validium Group, an independent organisation that runs employee assistance services, the new Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers a support line giving members access to telephone counselling, practical information and guidance. If appropriate, short-term brief therapy counselling can also be arranged with up to eight face to face sessions.

The service is free, as part of the GIS subscription, and is available for both personal and work-related issues.  

Humberside Police Federation chair Lee Sims said: “We are pleased to now be offering this resource to our officers and staff after what has been, and continues to be, a challenging time to be in policing.  

“It can be difficult to separate our personal and professional lives at the best of times and having access to a third-party counselling service will help support individuals with any problems they are facing.”

There are no limits to the service and officers are encouraged to consider the service for anything causing them concern or stress.  

Lee continued: “If you are experiencing emotional distress and feel your mental health is being impacted, seeking ad hoc counselling support via Validium could be a good next step in finding support that suits you. It can be a useful tool to discuss any workplace conflicts, family matters, or relationship issues too. 

“Another benefit is that any family member living at the home address can use the service, meaning support for a person’s wider home network.” 

Ways the Validium EAP service can benefit you: 

• Counselling support - counselling is a safe place for individuals to explore any worries or concerns they may be managing - no matter how big or small the issue may be. Support could be anything from a single, one-off call or it may be that a structured referral for up to eight sessions will be agreed following an initial telephone assessment.  
• Legal - a specialist team of lawyers is available to provide you with help and guidance on many different areas of personal law, including consumer, property, landlord/tenant, family, probate and motoring law. 
• Financial and debt - a dedicated team is available for individuals to access information on money matters, which may be affecting their welfare, including managing creditors, budgeting and debt management plans. 
• Health and wellbeing – specialists provide employees with information and guidance on lifestyle issues such as diet, exercise and sleep, as well as answering questions about health and medical matters, child care and eldercare issues. 

The GIS already gives subscribing members a number of benefits, including life insurance, sick pay and court awarded compensation.  

Lee feels that the addition of a 24/7 counselling service to the scheme only adds to the value for members.  

“Coupled with the existing benefits of the GIS, this new service demonstrates just how much important the Federation places on the health and wellbeing of its officers,” he explained, “In a year like no other, this additional benefit will hopefully help many officers as we continue navigating the challenges this pandemic presents.”

For further information on subscribing to the Group Insurance Scheme, which can cost as little as £24.60 per month for serving officers, please visit the Group Insurance Scheme pages.