NHS Lothian’s Lifelines Scotland project, a dedicated service to promote resilience and wellbeing for emergency responders, has today (25 September) expanded its reach. The service will now also be available to all Scottish Prison Service staff, recognising the challenges and particular stresses that these individuals face through their work.
The Lifelines Scotland project was established in 2016 by NHS Lothian’s specialist trauma service, the Rivers Centre, to provide support to voluntary emergency responders.
In 2020, the project was extended to Scotland’s blue light services and has been working with ambulance, fire and police to embed an understanding of responder resilience and wellbeing at the heart of these organisations.
Gill Moreton, Lifelines Scotland, Project Lead explained that, “The NHS Lothian Rivers Centre team has a wealth of experience working with blue light colleagues and we are delighted that we can use this knowledge and expertise to help support other sectors where similarly challenging working environments are experienced.”
In doing their jobs, prison staff face uncertainty, risk, and challenge on a daily basis. Tensions can build in an instant, and it is their professionalism and dedication which is often the tempering factor. It is therefore vital that resources such as Lifelines are available, to help them care for their mental health.
Gill added, “Prison staff can face a range of challenges because of the environment they work in. Their roles can be physically, emotionally and psychologically demanding. Ensuring these individuals have the tools available to support their own wellbeing, as well as information should they become unwell is vital to boosting resilience amongst this workforce. I am delighted that Lifelines Scotland will now be available for Scottish Prison Service staff.”
Prison staff are welcomed to the project on national Hidden Heroes Day; an awareness day launched by the Butler Trust to recognise and thank prison, probation, and other Justice sector staff who deliver a critical public service.
The dedicated resource will provide additional support for all prison staff, who work in complex and demanding environments. They are responsible for the care of a largely vulnerable population, who are known to have high rates of trauma and mental ill-health.
Lifelines Scotland is unique in providing a single point of access for all of Scotland’s emergency responders, whether they’re employed, volunteer or have retired, and for their family, friends and other supporters. This access will now be expanded to all staff working within the Scottish Prison Service, with dedicated content available to them.
“Our staff go above and beyond every day, supporting and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in society, and doing their bit in keeping Scotland’s communities safe.
“We recognise the importance of providing wellbeing services appropriate to their specific needs. This resource will provide a valuable tool for supporting their self-care, resilience, and recovery, while also signposting to other wellbeing services that are available to them.”
The Lifelines Scotland project works upstream, taking a preventative, early intervention approach. It provides valuable information to ensure that people have access to support if they become unwell, but its principal focus is on helping people to stay well in the first place.
The Lifelines website is based on the Lifelines 10 Essentials, which recognise that emergency service staff, volunteers and prison service staff are at risk of psychological injury because of their roles, but that injury isn’t inevitable and that there are lots of things that can help to keep people well.
Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Scottish Government said, “The everyday stresses and strains of a job can have an impact on staff. Lifelines is exactly that – a lifeline providing resources and tools to help people manage their mental health and resilience when it comes to the physical, emotional and psychological demands of their job. I welcome this initiative being made available to all staff in the Scottish Prison Service. It is vital that we keep the people safe, who are keeping our communities safe.”
The Lifelines Scotland website can be accessed at https://www.lifelines.scot/
