Staff support and wellbeing

As a University community, we understand how important it is to look after our wellbeing, especially in times like this which will impact on many areas of our lives. We are committed to supporting all our staff through this very difficult period.

Whether you’re working from home, on-site for essential work or on the frontline supporting the NHS, it’s key to look after yourself and look out for those around you.

Many University support services are now working remotely, and are still available to support you with practical help, advice, or someone to talk to.

Support for staff who are self-isolating

If you’re a staff member , please Let us know if you are self-isolating or have tested positive for coronavirus.

Self-isolation can be a lonely time, so don’t forget that you can contact Occupational Health on email occupationalhealth@leeds.ac.uk for a confidential chat, or if you feel you may need counselling, contact Staff Counselling by email at staffcounselling@leeds.ac.uk or phone 0113 3433694.

If you’re self-isolating and you don’t have friends or family nearby to help with shopping, errands, dog walking etc, most local councils can put you in touch with volunteers who can help. See the links below or check your local Council website for more details:

Working from home

Personal support

Workplace support for your mental wellbeing – if you are a staff member experiencing depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting your work, take advantage of confidential, one-to-one, workplace mental health support delivered by Remploy and funded by the Department of Work and Pensions. This offers nine months of virtual support including:

  • Tailored work-focused mental health support
  • Coping strategies
  • Personal support plan to help you keep in or return to work
  • Wellness Recovery Action Plan
  • Face-to-face meetings (remotely by Google Meet or WhatsApp) at 1, 6 and 9 month stages, as wells fortnightly phone calls

Email a2wmhss@remploy.co.uk for an initial chat and to book a session.

Confidential wellbeing chat – whether you’re feeling a bit down, struggling with isolation or being at home with your family, or just needing a general confidential chat, email occupationalhealth@leeds.ac.uk to arrange one. There is an Occupational Health Practitioner available Monday to Friday during office hours to speak to and support you in the current situation. These specialist practitioners are all nurses with extensive experience.

Staff Counselling offer free, professional and confidential advice, information and counselling by email, phone and the secure platform Zoom. Please do get in touch by email at staffcounselling@leeds.ac.uk or phone 0113 3433694 and leave a message.

Support when coping with the loss of a family member, friend or colleague – it is always a difficult time when we lose a family member, friend or colleague. It’s important to remember that our University support services are available to help you should you need them.

If you are informed that a member of your team or a close colleague has sadly passed away, please ensure that you seek the support that you need, and as soon as you can please inform your Head of School/Service.

University Chaplaincy – Chaplains can listen and offer remote pastoral and spiritual support by appointment or virtual drop-in. Please contact:

  • Chaplains on chaplaincy@leeds.ac.uk with your best availability, name and contact details, or leave a message on 0113 343 5071.
  • Muslim Adviser Farhat Yaqoob on 07713 707857 or email F.Yaqoob@leeds.ac.uk
  • If you are a member of staff in crisis and would like out of hours chaplaincy support, please call the special out of hours number 07780 613862. They will respond to you as soon as they can. Our chaplains come from different faith backgrounds but are here for staff of all faiths and all world views.

Extra strategies, guidance and tools for dealing with the current situation can be found on the University wellbeing site and Staff Counselling Coronavirus pages

Winter flu vaccination

Winter flu virus season is approaching and we’re encouraging eligible colleagues to book an appointment for a free vaccination through the NHS as soon as possible. Subject to vaccine dose supply, the NHS aims to extend eligibility to people aged between 50 and 64. Once we have notice that those at highest risk have been prioritised, we will encourage and support more colleagues to get vaccinated.

Support in relation to domestic abuse

The University’s online guidance – Domestic Abuse: Protecting and Supporting Staff and Students – provides a first line of support for staff and students who are experiencing domestic abuse, and also enables managers, personal tutors, supervisors and colleagues to provide initial help and advice.

The guidance includes a comprehensive list giving details of further support available within the University. It also lists other external agencies and organisations offering specialist domestic abuse  support and advice, including a response to Covid-19 issued by the the Employer’s Initiative on Domestic Abuse help for employees when home is not a safe place.

The Government has also launched a new public awareness raising campaign, under the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone, aiming to reassure those affected by domestic abuse that support services remain available.

In addition to Government guidance on domestic abuse, other key resources include:

Other resources

Keeping active and healthy

Online workouts are now available through the Your Home Your Move page and will be updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

See more options to help you stay healthy – including remote support to quit or cut down smoking on the University wellbeing pages.

Need more help?

Contact your line manager, HR Manager or Health and Safety Manager if you have questions that aren’t answered on this website or you need other help or support.

For other general support resources, see the Staff Wellbeing pages on: