Slimming World
I suffer with high BP and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and also a kidney problem, all of which could be associated with being obese. My dad, also suffers with type 2 diabetes and started injecting himself with insulin last summer.
I wondered how stupid I would feel if I had to inject myself because I chose to ignore the offer from WMAS to improve my Health and Wellbeing.
To date I have lost 3 stone 12lb, that’s 54lbs. This coming Monday I will have been on my journey for 5 months and hope to receive my 4 stone award. I have also reduced my BMI by 8 points too.
I know I won’t be stick thin, and don’t want to be, but I do know I will be to be a lot healthier.
Slimming World
I have now lost 7 and a half stone, just 2 lbs away from my target of 16 stone. I am incredibly grateful for your support, as I couldn’t have achieved this without you and the free 12 weeks scheme. I am coming up to my 5th uniform change, having gone from a 48-inch waist to a 36-inch waist. This has been an incredible journey, and I truly appreciate all the encouragement and assistance I’ve received from you and your team. Thank you so much for everything. Please keep this scheme going to help others like me.
Slimming World
I joined Slimming World after struggling with my weight, especially during the pandemic. At the time this was quite daunting as Slimming World is vastly underrepresented by men, but I was made to feel very welcome. The food optimising plan teaches you to pretty much eat what you want, when you want, allowing for healthier food alternatives or replacements. I would love to encourage anyone who is interested in losing weight to just turn up at one of their local meetings, also to feel free to email me directly with any questions.
QWELL
“From previous sessions with you I know it’s ok to let go of people who don’t provide any
benefit to me …I’m feeling in a really good place, same as last time we spoke. I feel really
confident and happy with where I’m at. I’m continuing to stand up for myself and say no, and
I just keep telling myself it’s ok to say no. I’m just so proud of where I’m at right now and I
can honestly say for once in my life I’m happy and everything is good. I’ve realised who I
need and I’m lucky to have those people around me”.
‘I’ve learnt that a healthy way to express anger is to say it out loud. To say what’s making me
angry and why. Or to journal it here on Qwell.’
QWELL
Since accessing Qwell Suzy* has seen an improvement in her overall mood and has tools to help regulate her emotions. As her support ended she was encouraged to see her GP and had started medications for anxiety which were further easing her symptoms. Qwell was part of a holistic approach to her situation and Suzy still has access to the resources and self-help areas on our platform.
*Suzy is a pseudonym
Suicide Awareness Course
I’ve just had a mental health call and I feel it was my best one yet. I knew exactly what to say and at the end of the call he thanked me and said just speaking to me made him feel better. At the start he was that upset he couldn’t get his words out.
I feel so proud.
That training did help.
Suicide Awareness Course
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in learning more about mental health and specifically suicide awareness. I thought it might be more operationally focused and so wouldn’t be relevant to me, but it wasn’t at all. The trainers were really engaging, supportive and opened my eyes to the issues we all face and how to spot the warning signs of someone in crisis. Since completing this course, I now feel that I would be more confident to approach a situation if someone needed my support.
Vicky Winship
Virtual Suicide Prevention Conference
The event was nothing short of phenomenal, and the knowledge I’ve gained is immeasurable.
The range of themes covered, and the depth of the discussion provided an enlightening perspective into effective understanding, prevention, and handling of suicide-related issues. I had the wonderful opportunity to pose questions to some of the amazing speakers, which proved to be a highly engaging and insightful experience.
The experiences I’ve gained and the insights I’ve obtained from this conference will undoubtedly be instrumental for my professional development and for our collective efforts in strengthening suicide prevention training.
I hope to share and apply the invaluable knowledge from this conference for the betterment of individuals grappling with mental health issues and to contribute to our organization’s ongoing initiatives towards suicide prevention.
I attended the suicide lite course from Bromsgrove Hub a few days ago. I just thought I’d let you know I thought it was brilliant, really informative and well worth attending. I would also like to do the full course if that is an option and I’m allowed to do it.
Dave Tutty, Education & Training Officer
Mental Wellbeing Practitioner Service
We’re lucky to have great support. It’s important to have good support at work, helps you deal with issues and carry on doing your job well.
I felt supported and listened to. If I needed further support, or intervention I was supported and signposted in the right direction.
MWP was exceptionally empathetic and insightful. She gave me many helpful suggestions to get through a very difficult time in my life. I’m very grateful for all her assistance and kind words.
MWP was understanding, professional and had excellent knowledge of Mental Health issues and sign posting. My referral to outside services was quick and appropriate for my needs. Thank you and keep up the excellent work.
The Listening Centre Counselling Services
At the start of my counselling I felt as though I wasn’t in a good place and not myself. Ruth listened to everything I had to say and provided support and resources in order to get myself better. I found the process very successful.
The Listening Centre Counselling Services
I feel I have benefited hugely from the sessions and i cannot recommend my therapist enough. I’m hugely thankful & grateful to her.
The Listening Centre Counselling Services
Outstanding! Very professional and very caring!
Climbing Out
After being injured in an RTC in January last year, Dudley Technician Michaela Preece sustained a hip injury which as well as affecting her physically, impacted her mental health and well-being. She received support from the Trust’s Mental Wellbeing Team and was referred to Climbing Out; a charity which works to rebuild confidence, self-esteem and motivation in people who have been through a life changing injury, illness or trauma by combining outdoor activities with mental resilience training.
“One of the best things about Climbing Out is it is not just a single week of support on a programme, it’s a community and a family, once you’ve completed your programme there is continued support and events. From walk and talk days, member-led events, and even further programmes to continue your journey and self-development. I have been incredibly lucky to be selected for a canoeing expedition in Sweden next year. I cannot thank the Trust’s well-being team enough for putting me in touch with such an amazing charity, as I probably wouldn’t have got involved without their encouragement. I’m proud to be an ambassador for the charity so if you feel yourself or someone you know may benefit from Climbing Out, complete a referral form on their website, contact the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing team or contact myself or Jamie Detheridge, a fellow ambassador at Shrewsbury Hub”
My experience of attending climbing out has helped me massively and would not be an exaggeration to say it’s been life changing. Prior to this I had struggled with my mental health which had been worsened by having my sister diagnosed as terminally ill and then my dad passing way.
From attending this five day course I have been given the tools and coping strategies to deal with the challenges and mental health problems I have been facing. I had just completed a course of CBT prior to attending climbing out and found that it complimented this well but also helped me further.
The course is made up of a group of people from all walks of life with varying mental health problems.
To make everyone comfortable and bond you do ice breaker challenges. This is also coupled with mental health resilience coaching which is described as putting the table legs back on.
The rest of the day is made up of fun challenges to help push yourself to improve your self confidence and self esteem.
For me who struggles with group environments and self confidence and self belief, I left the week feeling part of a team and far more confident than before.
The techniques gone through on that week have enabled me to have more confidence, self belief and cope with the difficult challenges I will face in the future.
WMAS Staff Member
My experience with Climbing Out was nothing short of life saving. The tools/skills I have been given to enable me to get through the dark periods are simple and easy to adjust and utilise. Having a diagnosis of CPTSD, anxiety and depression I felt helpless, worthless and even contemplated suicide. I was referred to Climbing Out by Rob Till my SOM as WMAS were offered places and he believed I could benefit from the program, he wasn’t wrong.
The course talks of table legs and these are empowering tools that help you to overcome life’s difficulties that maybe amplified by our own personal circumstances. This is coupled with challenging yourself through outdoor activities, but most importantly it was made to be fun. I was on the course with others with varying trauma, diagnosis’s and situations from all walks of life, you bond rapidly through ice breaker challenges and post course we are all still in contact on our own Wats app group, supporting each other as we continue to challenge ourselves. I can’t begin to think where I would be now without attending this program, and that was all possible thanks to the support and ongoing support of firstly my family but also my SOM and OM team. Climbing Out has changed my life and I hope it continues to help more staff. You can be referred or you can self refer to Kilda Wood and the Climbing Out charity, I am hoping to attend the phase 2 of the program in October which will build upon everything we learnt on phase 1 but also challenge us a bit more too.
Michael Harvey
It was lovely to meet you at the Erdington and Gravelly Hill event last month. Luckily your health check picked up my dangerously high blood pressure and one of your Paramedics made me go to the doctors. Been off whilst the meds kicked in but wanted to thank you for doing the great work you do and working so hard to put on the Wellbeing events. I was off sick but I’m hoping you won the WMAS Excellence Awards as you all deserved it!
Ian Mottershead, a PTS Supervisor at Crew, attended the HWB Roadshow 2023 at Warrington, where he had a health check which he was not very happy with. He was overweight, all of his numbers were in the red and his metabolic age was 12 years older than his actual age (63yrs).
Ian also took the opportunity to learn about the slimming world vouchers. He went away, along with his wife, joined slimming world and made healthy changes to his lifestyle.
In the last 12 months Ian has lost 4 stone in weight, started exercising and been named his area Slimming man of the year. He has also run race for life. He had his health check done again at Warrington and His numbers were phenomenal! His metabolic age is now 15 years younger than his actual age and his visceral fat rating has gone down from 18 to 13.
David Berridge made significant lifestyle changes following last year’s health check at the HWB roadshows, which highlighted several concerns. He committed to improving his health by losing 2 stone and joining a gym, where he exercises regularly. His dedication has paid off, as this year’s health check at the Wolverhampton PTS roadshow, showed all green indicators with no areas of concern. David is thrilled with his progress and remains committed to prioritising his health.
“My Cardiac Journey”
I returned to work in 2023 February from a fractured leg injury at work that I incurred in December 2022. Following my return, during a very tiring shift in March 2023, outside Walsall Manor ED, I suffered chest pain, my crew partner underwent a twelve lead ECG on me. I underwent several hours of tests and was discharged to go home and contact my GP.
The GP was concerned and referred me to the rapid cardiac pain relief nurses at The Royal Stoke Hospital. I underwent further tests investigations and a CT scan and in April my results confirmed the worst a blockage and I required further cardiac intervention. On Friday 21st July 2023, I underwent surgery.
The family decided that a much-needed caravan holiday was required to Wales to start my recovery. Recovery continued from August until November 2023, with WMAS support throughout from all services, especially Occupational Health and Kerry Bayliss (Trust Mental Wellbeing Practitioner) supporting me with my mental health and ongoing anxiety, which was ‘amazing’.
Also help and support from the OM team at Stafford Hub, during welfare meetings and weekly telephone calls, providing encouragement and supporting me with my phased return to work plan in November 2023. My consultant was pleased that I had made a full recovery with no evidence of heart attack or damage.
Twelve months on, taking medication and undergoing regular check-ups, my results are all within normal range with lowered cholesterol, my GP was very pleased with my outcome.
To summarise I have received incredible support internally and externally, from colleagues, a supportive team, help / encouragement from line managers and guidance/support from Unison around my financial difficulties i.e. when approaching half sick pay, before Christmas, signposting me to my local DWP office in Stafford, who again were ‘amazing’.
The WMAS family again were there for me and helped me with my successful recovery.
I am happy to be back at work fully and would like to ‘thank everyone for all their ongoing support during my journey and how different it all could have ended without the quick thinking and intervention at the time’.
I am looking forward this year to receiving my 15 years long service recognition award in June.
Finally, thank you from my family (Wendy my partner, Jake my son and not forgetting my mother) to my WMAS inner family support services.
Kind regards and Best Wishes
Christopher Shirley ECA Tollgate Hub
Bereavement Support
“I am writing to pass on my compliments both for your service but also specifically for the person who has dealt with and supported myself- Sara Williams.
I have had a very difficult year with bereavement as well as personal and medical issues, I had time off during the bereavement and throughout it Sara kept in touch and offered support and signposting for both me and my family. She supported me through my return to work as well and has continued to check in on me and offer support and make sure I am aware its there for me as soon as I felt ready. She has taken the time to sit with me and listen as well when I have been struggling with things and been a huge reassurance and reminder of the support and kindness available.
She has then after going through everything else referred me to the mental wellbeing team following a small breakdown I had and this has really gotten the ball rolling for me on being ready to finally confront and deal with the things I need to, as well as accept the support I need without feeling any judgement or anything other than positive feelings to getting that support.
She is a reminder of the kindness that more people should endeavour to show in their life and is a prime example of what one would hope is how your service wishes their staff to be. She is a credit to your service and also to herself.”
Learn how our WMAS Team & our Staff Networks can support you to make a difference
When I got my diagnosis of stage 4 endometriosis after years of battling to get listened to and then eventually major surgery, I knew that I wanted to try and spread awareness of the disease. I had attended a visit to a local gurdwara with WMAS and by chance I got talking to Manjeet Malhi, Health & Wellbeing Manager and told her about how I wanted to educate staff and help those who were struggling to get an Endometriosis diagnosis.
Manjeet put me in touch with Co-Chair of The Women’s Network, Sonia Bhattle and I reached out to Sonia to see how I could do this within the trust. Sonia replied straight away and was super supportive and really wanted to help me achieve my goal. The Women’s Network gave me the platform, support and encouragement to hold my own online webinar which was a great success and then I went on to co-host a coffee morning with Vice Chair, Joanne Caines to help support women with Endometriosis. I can honestly say I never would have done it without their support especially Sonia and Jo but also the work that goes on behind the scenes such as support from Shaunna Farley at Press Office and the help from the Health & Wellbeing Team to arrange the online event and the logistics.
I also had great support from my Line Manager Wendy Hands who along with my colleagues at Lichfield Hub supported and encouraged me throughout
I have since had a chance to talk about raising awareness around endometriosis on the radio and other opportunities externally as a result of the encouragement to host these events at WMAS.
I’m super grateful that I’ve been able to spread awareness of the disease and hopefully can continue to help women throughout the trust.
Molly Hodges, Lichfield Paramedic and Endometriosis Advocate
Health and Wellbeing online festival feedback
“Just wanted to say a huge well done for today. I managed to book myself on a few of the sessions. All of them were very informative and interesting. It was a huge success and most of the groups did have quite a few staff logged in. I allowed some of my staff to join and they have given positive feedback for the day as well. Well done once again.”
“Many thanks for bringing the HWB Online Festival to fruition. Thank you for the choices offered. It was a good way for everyone to enjoy the different sessions with enough time to dip in and gain extra knowledge and insight.
It was great to take part and I thank you for the privilege.”
“I would just like to send you my thanks for arranging the online HWB sessions on Wednesday.
The sessions I attended were very useful and informative. I also found the sessions being online were easier to attend and still be able to participate as a group.
Once again, thank you.”
Trussell Trust
“Just to let you know I have been to the food bank today and they were so lovely, so much so I actually got upset in their office.
She is sending me a £65 gift card to use at Aldi to buy what I need myself, then took details of my gas and electric bills and is sending a voucher to Octopus Energy for £300 but said that won’t be until July, she also told me to call Octopus Energy on Tuesday and tell them I am vulnerable and give them evidence of my arthritis etc, then they will reduce my bills, if they won’t do it she has told me where to go at my local council to get that sorted for me.
After pulling myself together and thanking her so much she then asked the other lady to pack my bags for me, and she put it in my car as also gave me 2 shopping bags full of tinned and packet food plus deodorant and toilet roll!! I was so overwhelmed I thought the gift card they are emailing me was instead of food today, but no that is an extra!!
Thank you so much for helping me .”
WMAS Staff Member
Everyone’s Health
So I have smoked since the age of 16 and have been trying quit for probably the last 15 years but have never succeeded. I have tried many ways often spending a fortune on hypnotherapy, acupuncture, you name it I’ve tried it. I decided for my 40 something birthday I was going to do it once and for all. I contact everyone’s health for my local area and asked about a medication called Champix which had been recommended by a friend.
I started it on 1st September and quit as planned on the 10th. It works on the receptors within the brain and massively reduces craving and all the other horrible stuff when you quit. I feel so much better for it, my taste has improved, and the money I have already saved in the short time is amazing and of course my family & friends are so happy and they have stopped nagging me.
To anyone thinking about it, I honestly say do it. You have to want to do it for you, that’s the key I think but that bit of help and support makes a huge difference. There are many ways to help you and what suits me may not suit others.
Good Luck to anyone trying
WMAS Staff Member
Leave a Testimonial
If you have experienced any of our services, and want to pass on your thoughts, please feel free to complete the form below. If you wish to remain anonymous, please just say so in your message. At the end of the form, you may need to answer a short maths question to verify that you are human.