New wellbeing app launched to ambulance staff

People at the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust now have access to a wellbeing app aimed at supporting their mental health.

The app - Backup Buddy - provides an additional opportunity for staff and volunteers to seek help and advice privately and informally on a wide range of mental health matters.

The trust follows in the footsteps of a number of police services offering the app to staff. However it is the first ambulance service to offer a version tailored specifically to its staff and volunteers.

The app runs alongside a wide range of support offered by the trust’s wellbeing hub. The hub provides 24 hour access to information, advice and tips on how to maintain good mental health as well as how support can be offered to others. It also contains several contact numbers and staff can share their mental health experiences with others.

The trust’s wellbeing manager Jade Bennett said, “We are pleased to offer this app which we hope will further encourage our staff and volunteers to think about and if they wish, speak to others about their mental health.

“This is a great addition to the support available at the trust and a subject which should be discussed. In these unprecedented times, it is more important than ever that we take care of ourselves and each other.”