Your wellbeing
Health Assured are our Employee and Volunteer Assistance Programme provider - giving all Hospice staff and volunteers access to resources and services. They offer confidential support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through their helpline, website and on their 'Wisdom' app - providing information and counselling for bereavement, childcare, domestic abuse, financial concerns, retirement, stress and anxiety and more.
Further details of how to access this can be found further down the page, as well as links to NHS resources and our own tips to help you manage your wellbeing.
Employee and Volunteer Assistance Programme
A confidential 24/7, 365 helpline for you and your immediate family members, with calls answered by experienced in-house counsellors, legal and financial specialists. Call 0800 030 5182 or log-in to your online wellbeing portal to access your free confidential helpline and a range of features including mini health checks, an interactive mood tracker, a library of articles, podcasts and audios, as well as wellbeing tools and resources.
Go to: https://wisdom.healthassured.org/
Organisation Code: MHA129802
You will be asked to set up your own account which involves providing some personal details and preferences.
NHS resources
The NHS has a whole host of resources available via their website or YouTube channel to support your mental and physical health:
Visit the NHS website for a list services, social care, A-Z of conditions, symptoms and treatments
Go to the NHS YouTube channel to find a wide range of videos from back care and Pilates to advice on minor illnesses and treatment for depression and anxiety.
Financial wellbeing
- Volunteers receive a 10% discount on purchases from all Garden House Hospice Care retail outlets. This includes upcycled items and courses run by the Upcycling team.
- Sign up to Charity Worker Discounts and receive exclusive offers and codes for charity staff and volunteers.
- Visit MoneyHelper for free and impartial money and pensions advice, backed by the government.
- Volunteers are entitled to claim out of pocket expenses
Emotional wellbeing
Every Mind Matters (NHS)
Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay on top of your mental wellbeing.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and conflict. It can also increase resilience, emotional intelligence and improve communication in the workplace.
Mind in Mid Herts online groups
There are some great online groups from Mind in Mid Herts that are conducted via Zoom. They provide a safe, caring and understanding space for you to talk about your feelings and connect with others.
Paul Goddard is a volunteer who runs meditation classes for patients. During the pandemic we filmed virtual sessions for patients to watch at home to find moments of peace. We hope you can make good use of them too.
Physical wellbeing
Live Well is an online NHS service providing advice about healthy living, including eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercise, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol.
For support with drugs and alcohol, visit the Hertfordshire County Council website for advice and services.
Social wellbeing
Compassionate Neighbours are local volunteers who provide support to members of the community who may be experiencing loneliness or social isolation. They also host weekly hubs where you can come along for a chat and a cup of tea, meet new people and get some support and advice.
Digital wellbeing
If you need assistance with basic IT skills or have a problem with your phone, laptop or tablet, we may be able to help. Please get in touch to arrange an appointment by emailing volunteers@ghhospicecare.org.uk.