A service to help health staff reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing has helped almost 500 people in its first year.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs community and mental health services, launched its Staff Wellbeing Service in September 2014 to support its 6,000 staff across Bury, Rochdale, Stockport, Oldham, Tameside and Trafford.

The service provides phone support, group sessions and one-to-one therapy for staff experiencing common mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, or difficulties coping with issues like bereavement, stress or other changes in their lives which are affecting them at work.

Research has revealed that sickness costs the NHS an estimated £2.4 billion per year and mental health difficulties are among the top causes of absence.

Pennine Care’s Staff Wellbeing Service is aimed at supporting staff to stay in work, rather than having prolonged periods of sick leave or helping them to return to work following an absence.

Since launching, the service has had referrals from 480 staff.

Service Manager Katie Kay said the feedback from staff had been overwhelmingly positive: “We know that mental health issues are among the highest causes of staff absence nationally within the NHS and can also impact on our staff’s ability to perform in their jobs.

“By using the skills of our trained mental health staff, we’re able to support employees through their emotional and psychological difficulties.

“Our staff tell us the service makes them feel valued and cared for and has made them happier and more productive at work.”

The service offers a range of support including counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, stress management and mindfulness courses as well as guided self-help resources.

Staff can either self-refer or ask their manager to refer them for free, confidential support.

The service also offers training for managers on how to spot signs of stress or emotional difficulties in their staff.

It recently won Pennine Care’s Principles of Care Awards, which recognise services that have gone above and beyond to support staff or patients and deliver high quality care.

A short video about the service can be viewed on the Pennine Care Youtube channel here https://youtu.be/dnY0FKvlUY0