Mental health among all those serving in the emergency services returns as a theme of The Emergency Services Show. Organisers of the annual event at the NEC, Birmingham on Wednesday and Thursday, September 18 and 19 have confirmed the speakers for its Health and Wellbeing Seminar Theatre.
The Show will feature four dedicated theatres on the show floor hosting a wide range of thought-provoking, CPD-accredited seminar sessions over the two days of the event. The four theatres will focus on Health & Wellbeing, IT developments, Emerging Technologies for the emergency services and Lessons Learnt from operational incidents. The two-days of seminars can be viewed at: https://www.emergencyuk.com/seminar-programme#/.
In #itsoktotalk Andy Elwood of Andy’s Landie, former search and rescue paramedic, shares the mental health impact that traumatic events have had on his own life. He’ll discuss how emotions of despair and elation are more difficult for men to talk about and how he releases his emotions in a positive way to stay healthy.
British Red Cross will give an update on its Resilient Responders Programme which aims to build individual and team resilience through psychosocial support and interventions. The police rank and file ‘trade union’ the Police Federation of England and Wales will talk about the findings of a first survey looking at how the menopause affects police officers and staff in the workplace, and how the findings can be used to facilitate better support and inform policy and guidance.
Jennifer Hill, Watch Commander with West Midlands Fire Service will share the experiences of a primarily female fire service team deployed in civil war-strewn South Sudan. She will show how lessons learnt from the deployment can be applied to fire safety and community engagement in the UK. Ben Miller will introduce the Christian Ambulance Association and the support it offers to staff working in ambulance services and throughout the blue light sector.
Oscar Kilo will be updating visitors on its National Police Wellbeing Service and talking about the “wellbeing van” it is bringing to the Show. This is one of a fleet of bespoke-fitted vans which can deploy to operating bases across England and Wales, offering physical, psychological and financial health checks to officers and staff, supported by occupational health staff from each force area.
Jules Lockett, Practice Learning Manager, Control Services with the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust will discuss staff resilience in “Not Just A Voice”.
In PTSD – What’s with the D? Gary Hayes and Simon Durance, Co-Founders of PTSD999 will explore their own experience of PTS and show visitors what they can do to make a difference.
Devon and Cornwall Police will share details of “surfing therapy” they have formulated for treating mental health conditions including stress and PTSD. It is based around a wealth of scientific research and ongoing projects in the military and charity sectors.
Police Care UK will share the findings of a national survey it undertook with the University of Cambridge which found that one in five police are suffering with a form of PTSD yet 83 per cent don’t even know it. This session will talk about the practical steps that police can take now to improve their trauma resilience and training.
An exhibition features over 450 exhibiting companies including names in vehicles and fleet, communications, technology, medical and fire fighting equipment, search and rescue, extrication, water rescue, first response, protective clothing and uniforms, public safety, vehicle equipment, training, community safety and station facilities.
In the networking hub of the show, The Collaboration Zone, over 80 emergency services, voluntary groups, charities and NGOs will be sharing details of the support they offer. Organisations involved include The Ambulance Staff Charity, Christian Ambulance Association, Disabled Police Association, Oscar Kilo, Our Blue Light Charity, Police Care UK, PTSD999, St John Ambulance, the Fire Fighters Charity, UK Firefighters Sailing Challenge and the UK Hypnosis Academy.
The Show is free to attend. Parking is also free. To find out more and register to attend visit www.emergencyuk.com.
