A SERIES of initiatives are being launched to support the mental wellbeing of key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) has teamed up with two Ellesmere Port-based Healthbox Community Interest Company and Insight Healthcare to offer the service.

The initiatives will provide vital support for health and care workers across Cheshire and Wirral, as well as teachers, paramedics and police officers.

They will have three main offers – an emotional support line available from 8am to 10pm seven days a week, additional counselling services, and services to key workers in acute care settings.

Dr Anushta Sivananthan, medical director for CWP, said: “Key workers have been hugely important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ensuring they have access to resources that will enable them to look after their mental wellbeing during this challenging time is incredibly important.

"We are delighted to be working with Healthbox and Insight to provide this vital support to key workers across our footprint. This new service will be in addition to the local resilience hub."

Simon Sandford, director of Healthbox CIC, added: “In light of the current situation, we know that there is a growing concern for the public’s mental health and thus, our mental health services have never been needed as much as they are right now.

"As a nation, we have witnessed how incredibly important our key workers are, but in order to maintain their levels of mental health and wellbeing we know that they are in increasing need of support.

"That’s why we’ve set up a new service across the borough, to offer 1-2-1 therapy, delivered by our BACP qualified counsellors.

“Our aim is to start delivering this service to NHS key workers and then gradually expand and open up to other key worker groups, including care worker staff, social care, social workers, paramedics, teachers and more.”

If you or anyone you know would benefit from this service, simply text support to 66777 or email key.worker@nhs.net

Lynsey Terry, service manager of Insight Wellbeing at Work, said: "We are proud to be partners of this essential service for our key workers, who have been on the frontline of this pandemic - both physically and mentally.

"We are offering a confidential space for emotional support and access to talking therapies and wellbeing resources. Our free emotional support line is open 8am-10pm daily.

"If you are a key worker, you can call us free on 0300 131 2074. You have been there for us, now we're here for you."

The development of these services is on a six month trial basis with regular reviews of activity and ensuring that the quality of the service is maintained. All three services will be provided to key workers in Cheshire and Wirral.