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OTs can now support isolated people to self-refer for volunteer calls
People who would benefit from extra social contact can now self-refer for free ‘ Check In and Chat ’ phone calls from the NHS Volunteer Responders by calling 0808 196 3646 .
Alternatively , clinicians and other primary care colleagues can directly refer people with their consent . GP practices and pharmacies can also order pre-printed posters and flyers to promote self-referral .
The ‘ Check In and Chat ’ service involves volunteers phoning patients for a friendly chat . Where appropriate , they can encourage people to make positive changes and share information about other local services . People with additional vulnerabilities should be referred for Check In and Chat Plus to be linked with a DBS-checked volunteer . Find out more about the programme at https :// bit . ly / 43SWbBQ .
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Online hub is helping health and social care workers in Scotland with their psychosocial wellbeing
The National Wellbeing Hub was established in 2020 , to help support the wellbeing of everyone working in health and social care in Scotland . When you spend your days caring for others , it can be difficult to find the time to care for yourself and it is hoped that the hub will make it a little easier for you to take care of yourself and your colleagues .
The mission is to develop the hub as an evidence-led resource to promote , enhance and support the psychosocial wellbeing of everyone working in health , social care and social work , in Scotland . It ’ s a place full of ideas , resources and services about how to stay well .
The hub forms a single point of contact for health , social care and social work practitioners , and unpaid carers , to obtain advice , information and support in relation to their wellbeing , and to signpost them to other resources and sources of help , including locally and nationally delivered evidence-based and best practice psychological interventions .
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If you ’ d like to speak to someone confidentially about your mental wellbeing , please phone the National Wellbeing Helpline on 0800 111 4191 or visit the hub at https :// wellbeinghub . scot .
6 OTnews May 2023