Welfare Support Programme open to all members

25 June 2021

The Federation’s Welfare Support Programme (WSP) offers a wide range of services including clinical assessment and counselling.

The pioneering programme, developed by the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), is being funded by the Police Federation of England and Wales and complements the support already available to Humberside branch members.

It also offers person-centred support, access to fully trained and accredited professionals, independent and confidential support and referrals-appropriate follow-on specialist support.

Praising the WSP, Humberside Police Federation secretary Rob Grunner said: “This is a great addition to the excellent welfare support services that are already available to our members.

“The health and wellbeing of our members is of paramount importance so we are pleased to be teaming up with our colleagues at the DMWS to offer this new programme.”

PFEW chair John Apter found out more about the WSP when he visited the DMWS headquarters in Hampshire with policing minister Kit Malthouse.

John said: “We’re delighted to be working with Defence Medical Welfare Service to deliver our Welfare Support Programme. Our local Federation branches already go above and beyond to help members in their time of need, but thanks to DMWS we can go one step further and provide this extra and invaluable support service to all.

“We are very pleased with the progress so far and we know it is already making a tangible difference to the lives of our colleagues who, when in a dark place, often don’t feel comfortable reaching out to their force, but look to the Federation for support.”

Mr Malthouse said: “Our police officers go above and beyond every single day – risking their safety to protect the public and keep us all safe – so it’s vital we give them the health and wellbeing support they need.

“The work of the Defence Medical Welfare Service complements our efforts and gives police officers a place to go in their time of need – I’m extremely grateful for their efforts and was delighted to visit and see their excellent work in action.”

To find out more about the new WSP, or to get support, please contact DMWS at police@mws.uk.com or on 01264 586 942.