NHS staff across the Morecambe Bay are being offered free professional counselling during the Coronavirus outbreak.
CancerCare has launched a brand new service for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT) NHS staff who will now be able to access the charity’s team of counsellors for any support they feel they may need during the current crisis.
The charity, which provides free professional support and therapy to people affected by cancer and bereavement, put a call out to its team of therapists for help and 12 counsellors volunteered to offer their time free of charge for UHMBT staff in need.
CancerCare Chief Executive Maria Chambers said: “We consulted with senior figures at UHMBT and morally, and ethically, it is without question the right thing to do. Every day our Trust colleagues are dealing with unimaginable pressure caring for a huge number of people from our communities who are really poorly.
“It seems like the least we can do to give them access to our professionally qualified and experienced team of counsellors who will be able to use their skills to help. I was also overwhelmed by the number of our people who offered their help, free of charge, without a moment’s hesitation.”
Kendal based counsellor Martine Martinus said: “Our NHS staff are putting their own lives at risk fighting on the frontline to care for others and often being faced with the most distressing situations.
“I have volunteered my time to provide telephone support and an empathetic ear through this very traumatic time. Counselling can provide a space where they will be able to process the intense emotions they are going through on a daily basis and this is my way of showing gratitude to the heroes of the NHS and the amazing work they do.”
Lead Cancer Nurse for UHMBT Alison Scott said: “We are delighted as a Trust to accept this very kind and generous offer of support for our colleagues who have been affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
“A number of our colleagues have been working with people who have tested positive for coronavirus or have been personally affected so this offer from CancerCare is simply amazing.
“We are grateful that CancerCare’s professionally trained and highly experienced therapists will be able to offer counselling, bereavement support and other services to our colleagues.
“We are offering support to our staff through our Occupational Health Team so the support from CancerCare’s therapists will complement this.
“For nurses and other colleagues in the NHS, giving someone a hug is an automatic response. Not being able to do something as natural as giving a hug can be very upsetting. We have to keep our distance and are not able to comfort people as we would wish. This is just one example of how this virus is adversely affecting our staff and patients.
“CancerCare’s counsellors will offer a professional and non-judgemental listening ear to our colleagues. Just having someone to talk to who is not associated with your work or family situation is hugely important. This sort of support will be invaluable in the weeks to come.
“We want to say a massive thank you to CancerCare for this incredibly caring support.”
NHS staff wishing to speak to a counsellor can book a session through the charity’s dedicated helpline which is open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Counselling sessions can then be arranged at a convenient time to suit shift patterns. The number is 03330 150 628 (charged at local rate) and people can also email: [email protected] or text: 07860 018 278
