Frontline workers across police, fire and ambulance services can access the vital skills and knowledge needed to maximise positive mental health and well-being at this year’s Emergency Services Show at the NEC, Birmingham, 21st–22nd September 2022.
‘Frontline emergency service workers are regularly exposed to traumatic and dangerous events, which can have a lasting effect on their mental health. This year’s Emergency Services Show offers a wealth of proactive and reactive initiatives, programmes and tools that can improve well-being and make frontline working safer, more rewarding, and more effective,’ explains David Brown, event director, The Emergency Services Show.
The show’s dedicated Health & Well-being Theatre will feature a wealth of experienced professionals sharing their expertise in mental wellness, health and nutrition, workforce diversity, and introducing the latest digital support platforms.
Visitors will hear real-life experiences of practitioners, frontline responders, and experts in the field, who will provide key practical takeaways that all emergency service personnel can use within the workplace.
In the opening session exploring ‘positive psychology’, Mike Lennon, wellness and behaviour change coach at The Fire Fighters Charity, examines how inherent character strengths serve as powerful pathways to flourishing in life.
Fellow wellness and behaviour change coach AJ Whitaker will explore ageing and associated life transitions such as menopause and retirement in a Maturing Healthily session. She will share how blue light workers can plan and manage their personal health choices and finances.
A trauma-informed approach to policing will be the subject of a session presented by Alexis Powell-Howard, a psychotherapist at Fortis Therapy and Training and Peter Thorp, detective superintendent at South Yorkshire Police. They will share how policing can work in a more trauma-informed way, increasing knowledge and awareness of the impact of trauma and how employers can offer the right advice and support.
Building positive and empowering habits to improve health and well-being in the emergency services will be covered by Rosie Beardsworth, the workplace well-being consultant at Virgin Pulse. She will discuss the power of social connection, its positive impact on mental well-being, and how to foster open communication and encourage employees to seek help before a crisis.
Delegates will also hear how group music therapy can help those working anywhere in the blue light sector. Music Therapist Amanda Thorpe will share details of a recent successful pilot therapy project and invite audience members on stage to take part.
Neil Copeman, head of Musculoskeletal Services at the Met Police, will showcase the revamp of an MSK service using digital solutions and alternative delivery methods that bring access to care closer to home and work and provide tangible value to the employer.
In the networking hub of the show, The Collaboration Zone, over 80 emergency services, voluntary groups, charities, and NGOs will share details of the support they offer. Organisations include Movember Europe, Oscar Kilo, Railway Mission, PTSD999, The Blue Light Symphony Orchestra, The Fire Fighters Charity, The Salvation Army, and UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge.
Visitors to The Fire Fighters Charity stand can visit its well-being area, experience five minutes of relaxation, hear about the Charity’s new children’s book and watch exclusive videos of some of the people that have been helped recently. Services offered by the charity include a covid recovery programme, wellness coaching, health awareness programmes, and digital and face-to-face support.
The Future Policing Zone will also showcase organisations providing best practices, research, and guidance to help shape the well-being agenda and encourage collaboration, including Police Care UK, The College of Policing, Mindsmith, Care of Police Survivors, The Eleos Partnership and Police Care UK.
Register for the event here. Entry to The Emergency Services Show and parking at the NEC are free. The NEC is linked to Birmingham International Station and Birmingham Airport and is directly accessible from the UK motorway network.
