Joe takes on wellbeing role

4 March 2019

Workplace representative Joe Lloyd has taken on a wellbeing lead role within Leicestershire Police Federation.

The Force has signed up to the wellbeing agenda and, with wellbeing officers spread throughout the Force area, organises a wellbeing forum which Joe will attend as the Federation’s single point of contact (SPOC).

“Wellbeing has tended to sit under the equality lead’s portfolio within the Federation but it has been decided to separate the roles,” says Joe, who, as a result of the change, takes over the wellbeing role from Jon Carter-Lang who is Leicestershire Police Federation’s equality lead and deputy secretary.

Joe, who has already brought a number of wellbeing issues to the attention of the Federation, is looking forward to further developing the role.

He explains: “I really want to ensure that the members link in with the wellbeing champions throughout the Force. I have been looking at what other Federation branches do around wellbeing and there is an initiative that a few offer where officers can access a sum of money annually for team-building activities so this is something I will be looking into as it could be a great way to help boost morale.

“I am also keen to develop the local Federation website so it has a welfare and wellbeing section that can ‘signpost’ members to relevant organisations that can help them in times of need.”

Joe, who is a conduct, health and safety and equality trained Fed rep, is looking at initiatives already up and running in the Force and cites Insp Siobhan Gorman, the NPA Commander for Eastern Counties, as an example of good practice. Insp Gorman has ensured the three stations under her command have wellbeing sections with books, DVDs, and literature surrounding welfare and wellbeing. 

He is also seeking to raise awareness of Mind’s Blue Light Programme, the mental health charity’s scheme launched in March 2015 to support police officers and other emergency service workers, the Headspace App and Oscar Kilo, a national initiative involving the College of Policing and aiming to share learning and best practice in wellbeing across the emergency services.

Federation members concerned about their wellbeing or that of a colleague should contact their workplace representative, the Federation office or Joe for more information about the support available.