Who can help me with my Health & Wellbeing?
Health & Wellbeing Guardian
Mohammed Fessal
Health & Wellbeing Guardian Mohammed is no stranger to the Board having initially joined on the NExT Director scheme in 2019. The NExT scheme supports talented people to become the next generation of non-executives in the NHS.
As a qualified pharmacist, Mohammed has over 15 years of experience across the NHS, private and voluntary sectors. Currently Chief Pharmacist at CGL, a voluntary sector organisation specialising in substance misuse, homelessness, domestic violence and young people’s services, Mohammed is passionate about supporting the most vulnerable in society by empowering and tackling discrimination.
He is a member of the Advisory Council of Misuse of Drugs, which is an advisory non-departmental public body that makes recommendations to the Home Office on the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs. He also sits on the CQC Controlled Drugs National Sub-Group.
Health & Wellbeing Manager
Manjeet Malhi
I have worked in HR for over 20 years both in the private and public sector. I have worked for the Trust for 11 years and over the years, I have gained a vast amount of experience in HR and health & wellbeing. Our ultimate goal is to support staff with their health and wellbeing and continuingly building on the excellent working relationships developed with our staff networks, unions, SALS, management, HR Team, mental wellbeing team, FTSU team, chaplains, EDI team and all our champions . Our responsibilities include leading on the development and delivery of the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing strategy, coordinating the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing initiative / offerings, in order to meet the NHS People Plan and Trusts strategic objectives. I am always keen to listen to new ideas and how we can implement change together feel free to contact me via email at: manjeet.malhi@wmas.nhs.uk
Diversity and Inclusion Lead
Mohammed Ramzan
Ramzan has over 18 years’ experience working in the Equality, Inclusion and Diversity field; having worked for, and with, a number of large statutory and community organisations. In this time, Ramzan has worked strategically to embed equality in West Mercia Police and Probation Service, Birmingham South Central CCG, Solihull CCG, and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups.
Ramzan has led on several key health inequalities projects over the years which have resulted in better health outcomes for patients and communities, including a domestic violence project (a partnership with South Birmingham PCT and Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid; National Pacesetters Project (Uptake of Cardiac rehab for Women – working closely with University Hospitals Birmingham ((UHB)); uptake of Bowel Cancer Screening in BAME communities Project (Heart of England Foundation Trust and a community Organisation); development of the Equality Delivery System Matrix for providers in Birmingham and Solihull (member of the sub-committee of Strategic Health Authority which developed the initial EDS framework) and helped Birmingham South Central CCG staff attain the prestigious Mary Seacole award. Ramzan also co-chaired the ICS Equality group in his role as the Equality lead for Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG before joining WMAS.
Ramzan has a Master’s in Public Health and Health Promotion, Diploma in Legal Practice, LL.B (Honours) and ILM4 – Managing Equality and Diversity and has completed the NHS Leadership Academy course: Stepping Up. Ramzan is also one of the founding members of the Blue Light Cricket Challenge which was set up as a result of the sacrifices made by community, staff and members of the public during COVID 19 pandemic. This is now an annual event where the health services challenge West Mercia Police for the Blue Light trophy. Ramzan is also part of the inter-faith dialogue group in his local area.
“I am very excited to have joined the team and I look forward to bringing my knowledge and expertise to the role, building on the good work that my predecessor started. I have been given a warm welcome by staff. I look forward to working with colleagues at WMAS on embedding the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda into the fabric of the organisation; where we celebrate diversity, promote inclusion and work towards equitable outcomes.”
Ramzan can be contacted via email at: mohammed.ramzan@wmas.nhs.uk
Health & Wellbeing Champions
The Trust has 65 Health & Wellbeing Champions [HWBC] every site has at least one champion the bigger sites have more. If you are not sure about who is a HWBC on your site speak to your line manager or Manjeet Malhi, Health and Wellbeing Manager, on manjeet.malhi@wmas.nhs.uk
All HWBC have an induction of initial training and then can progress onto further development completing the Mental Health First Aiders course, Suicide Lite and many more courses. This enhances their knowledge which allows them to support our staff better.
What does the role entail?
- Being a point of contact for information a link between the HWB Steering Group and colleagues.
- Keeping colleagues updated with what is happening with Health & Wellbeing and what is available for them.
- Maintaining a Health & Wellbeing notice board.
- Distribution of literature and marketing materials.
- Caring enough to ask a colleague are they alright?
- Helping to signpost staff to the relevant support they may need.
- Being part of the bigger team of Health &Wellbeing Champions
- Maybe celebrating HWB days or organising events support is always on hand.
- This is a voluntary role that staff offer to commit too.
If you have explored the above provisions but believe a different type of support is required, or if you would like additional advice, you can book an appointment with the Trust’s Mental Wellbeing Practitioners for further advice.
Freedom to Speak Up – In order to deliver high quality patient care and protect the interests of patients, staff, students, volunteers and the organisation, the Trust encourages a culture of openness and transparency, in which members of staff feel comfortable about raising legitimate concerns.
We are committed to ensuring that staff have the confidence to raise concerns and to know that they will be taken seriously and investigated. At work, it is reasonable that staff may have concerns from time to time, which normally can be resolved easily and informally. However, when staff have serious concerns about unlawful conduct, financial/ professional malpractice, or risks to patients, themselves or others it can be daunting to speak up about this. You can speak up about anything that gets in the way of patient care or doing your job. Our Freedom To Speak Up Team are here to provide guidance and support to everyone who feels that they should raise a concern, or simply wish to know more about the process and how they can support their colleagues. Click the button to the left to access the Freedom to Speak Up Trust site.
SALS Team
The Staff Advice & Liaison Service (SALS) is a confidential peer to peer support network.
The service is co-ordinated and delivered entirely by current WMAS staff members who have volunteered their time to support their colleagues.
What we do…
When you have concerns, need advice or information, or feel alone with a problem and don’t know what to do or where to turn, SALS is there to help.
SALS trained peer advisors will listen to your concerns, provide emotional support and encouragement during difficult times, and can help you to identify the information, support providers and workplace policies relevant to your individual situation.
This confidential service is available to all members of the WMAS workforce, including students and community volunteers, by calling 01384 215 880
SALS for leaders
SALS for leaders is a confidential sub-support group which has been set up to offer equivalent peer to peer support for any manager in the Trust, or those who are acting up into those roles.
The SALS Advisors who take on this additional role are all working as managers and are SALS Trained. They provide confidential advice and support, a listening ear or signposting to support services in or outside of WMAS. We can deal with personal or work-related problems.
To request support please email: SALSFORLEADERS@WMAS.NHS.UK
Don’t suffer in silence, we’re here to help.
Mental Health First Aiders
The Trust currently has 366 trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) who have completed the two day course. By the end of August this will have risen to 428 members of staff. A wide range of people have undertaken then MHFA training from operational staff, corporate and staff in support roles. You can identify a MHFA by this logo, which may be displayed on their email footer, or lanyard.
The Mental Health First Aiders training provides:
- An in-depth understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing
- Practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of a range of mental health issues
- Confidence to step in, reassure and support a person in distress using the Mental Health First Aid action plan
- Enhanced interpersonal skills such as non-judgemental listening
- Knowledge to help someone recover their health by guiding them to further support – whether through self-help resources, internal support such as EAP, or external sources such as their GP
- An understanding of how to keep themselves safe while performing their duties
WMAS Staff Networks
To support staff the Trust, have a number of networks, which members of staff can join. For further information please contact:
|
Disability Carer and Advocates (DCA) Network:
|
Proud Network:
|
|
Student Network:
|
Women’s Network:
|
|
One Network:
|
Military Network:
|
For more information please click on Staff Networks – West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (wmas.nhs.uk)
Trust Chaplaincy – Faith and Spiritual Wellbeing Team
Imam Mohammad Asad MBE
Imam Mohammad Asad is an Imam, Scholar and Minister of Religion. He is a Hafidh (memorised the Qur’an). The Imam/Lecturer at Birmingham Central Mosque. An executive member of Association of Muslim Schools, the national Coordinator for Association of Muslim Supplementary Schools, a school inspector and a member of various interfaith groups/projects.
On the occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, he was honoured with an MBE in recognition of his services to Charitable Fundraising and to the NHS during Covid -19.
He is a member of the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group. He successfully gained his NPQSL (National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders). He has been a senior leader and safeguarding lead in an Independent faith school for over 15 years.
He delivers training for teachers on many different topics. He is a Muslim Chaplain for UHB, SWBH and BCH NHS Trust hospitals. He is a Muslim Chaplain for West Midlands Police, Fire Service as well as the Ambulance Service.
He has delivered workshops to health professionals on End of Life care for Muslim patients. He has contributed to various guidance’s for the Muslim communities. He is a member of UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy and Police Chaplaincy UK.
Imam Mohammad Asad can be contacted on the following email: mohammad.asad@wmas.nhs.uk
Satnaam Kaur
My name is Satnaam Kaur and I am Amritdhari (Baptised Sikh). I am a mother of three children and have been working in the NHS for over 8 years as a Mental Heath support worker, Senior Ward Administrator and Chaplaincy Services.
I have in recent times, started to volunteer more as a Chaplain to support Staff and patients within the Sandwell and Black Country area as I am passionate of doing selfless service; help those who need help. I also help out in all Gurdwara’ s (Sikh faith place of worship) all over the UK from running camps and helping out in the community Kitchens provided in Gurdwara’ s preparing meals for all faiths attending the place of worship.
Satnaam Kaur can be contacted on the following email: satnaam.kaur@wmas.nhs.uk
Reverend Stephen Bentham
My name is Stephen Bentham, I am The Minister of a local Baptist Church and also the Team Leader of Black Country Urban Industrial Mission, BCUIM.
My involvement in Chaplaincy spans some 15 years, serving a range of chaplaincies. BCUIM supports those of Faith and no faith across a wide range of workplaces across the area and have been involved with WMAS providing Chaplaincy for many years. I look forward to developing this relationship as we seek to offer support across the Service.
Reverend Stephen Bentham can be contacted on the following email: stephen.bentham@wmas.nhs.uk
Rabbi Yossi Jacobs
We would like to warmly welcome Rabbi Yossi Jacobs to the team of Chaplains at WMAS.
Rabbi Yossi Jacobs can be contacted on the following email: yossi.jacobs@wmas.nhs.uk
A chaplain is there to provide a listening ear, emotional, spiritual and pastoral support for you. They can provide support during any crisis, bereavements, as well as during normal times. They will pray for you, be available with an on-going presence, visit you, provide care for you and lead any formal religious services.
Chaplain Tracy Jones
In joining the WMAS Chaplaincy Team, Tracy Jones brings with her a wealth of experience from a 37-year career within the ambulance service.
Tracy began her career at Donnington Ambulance Station and has worked across Shropshire throughout her service, spending the last 30 years based in Shrewsbury. The ambulance service, its people and the communities it serves have been a central part of her life.
Alongside her operational role, Tracy has served as a union representative for 26 years, where supporting colleagues is at the heart of her work. She has always had a passion about staff’s health and wellbeing and understands first-hand the pressures and emotional demands faced by operational staff.
Tracy has always held a strong Christian faith and following encouragement from her church, undertook three years of part-time theological study. She was ordained by the Bishop of Hereford at Hereford Cathedral in July 2024.
Tracy believes her years of frontline experience have shaped her faith and calling and now looks forward to serving colleagues across the Trust as part of the chaplaincy team.
Chaplain Tracy Jones can be contacted on the following email: tracy.jones@wmas.nhs.uk
HR Contacts
HR contacts at West Midlands Ambulance Service.
Each area of the Trust has a dedicated HR Representative who can be contacted for advice and support for all aspects of health and wellbeing and employment queries. You can see which HR Representative covers your area of the Trust here:
Please click on the picture for who’s who at WMAS with contact details or on the poster to the left to access the full HR Team PDF.