Specifically designed to support and signpost staff working within health and social care to a variety of free self-care and self-help resources, our focus is for staff working or living within the Black Country area. Your own organisations may have additional resources and support available too.
Maintaining all aspects of our wellbeing is really important on a day-to-day basis, and inevitably there will be times we require additional support and need to focus more on our own wellbeing.
Whether you work in a clinical or non-clinical role, as health and care staff, it can be easy to focus on the wellbeing of others and neglect our own, so it is always important to remember, “You have to look after yourself, in order to look after others”.
Most importantly, if you are struggling with your health, it is important to contact your local GP or ‘NHS111’.
Emotional and Mental Wellbeing
Emotional and mental wellbeing are essential for a fulfilling life, encompassing the ability to manage emotions, cope with stress and maintain positive relationships. These resources can give you support to improve your emotional and mental wellbeing.
Help in a crisis is available by calling 111 Option 2. Specially trained mental health staff will speak to you, discuss your urgent needs and assess the best way to support you depending on your symptoms. If you would prefer to text this service, you can contact 07860 025 281.
Samaritans – Talk to a listening volunteer 24/7, 365 days a year. A safe, supportive and non-judgemental space call 116 123 or email: jo
Black Country Healthcare Talking Therapies Services
Across our four boroughs, we provide psychological therapy services for people experiencing common mental health problems such as low mood, anxiety, stress and depression.
To find out more about what each service provides in your area and how to refer, click on one of the locations below.
Wolverhampton GP:
Self-refer for support: Wolverhampton Talking Therapies :: Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Access online CBT: SilverCloud. Making Space For Healthy Minds
Dudley GP:
Self-refer for support: Dudley Talking Therapies Service :: Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Access online CBT: SilverCloud. Making Space For Healthy Minds
Walsall GP:
Self-refer for support: Walsall Talking Therapies :: Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Access online CBT: SilverCloud. Making Space For Healthy Minds
Sandwell GP:
Self-refer for support: Sandwell Talking Therapies :: Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Access online CBT: SilverCloud. Making Space For Healthy Minds
Mindfulness playlist: The Mindfulness Playlist - YouTube
Wellbeing webinars: Wellbeing Webinars - YouTube
The Recovery College provides an educational learning environment for people who have an interest in, or personal difficulties with mental health living in the Black Country. For more information on courses and support they provide visit: https:/
Employment Support
Here is some information on organisations that offer individuals additional support with employment.
WorkWell is a service designed to support anyone with a health condition or disability to either:
- Return/Remain in work
- Find and access work
- Refer or signpost into various services available in your local area.
This service provides a team of trained Work and Health Coaches who will provide short term, light touch support to help individuals with their support needs to return, remain or succeed in work.
WorkWell will help individuals to build a personalised support plan based off their current needs, health conditions/disabilities and additional support that may be needed and then work together with organisations across the Black Country to provide joined up support for that individual.
For more information visit: www.
Physical Wellbeing
Looking after your physical health is a key to feeling your best - both mentally and physically. Regular movement, good nutrition and prioritising rest all play a role in keeping you healthy and energised. Taking small steps towards better physical wellbeing can make a big difference in your daily life.
These resources offer practical tips and useful information to help you stay active, eat well and take care of your body. Explore the content, find what works for you and remember - your wellbeing matters!
Your health matters, and staying on top of it has never been easier. Across the four areas of the Black Country, you can access MOT-style health checks without needing to see your GP. Whether it's a blood test, blood pressure check or any other routine health screening, these checks are a simple and effective way to keep track of your wellbeing.
Regular health checks can help detect potential issues early, giving you the best chance to stay fit and well. If you're due for a check-up or just want peace of mind, book your appointment today and take a proactive step towards better health.
Please see below for access to your local health checks websites and information.
Dudley: Home - Healthy Dudley
Sandwell: Health Check | Healthysandwell
Wolverhampton: NHS Health Check | Wolverhampton Information Network
If you're looking to make a positive change, the Better Health website is a great place to start. Whether you want to eat healthier, move more, quit smoking or immprove your mental wellbeing, Better Health offers free tools, tips and support to help you get started and stay on track.
Small steps can lead to big changes - and this could be the perfect way to kickstart your health journey.
Working Parents Wellbeing
Being a working parent is a balancing act. Some days you’ve got it together and other days...not so much (and that’s okay!)
See what support across the Black Country is available.
Family Information Service Hub | Listings in Toddler Groups
Sandwell Parents Voices United
Parent and family support - Route2Wellbeing
Infant Feeding | Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
Sandwell Family Hubs | Facebook
Family Information Service Hub | SENDIASS
Reflexions (@bchft_reflexions) • Instagram photos and videos
New parent to parent groups launch in Walsall | Walsall Council
Parenting support | Walsall Council
Home :: Walsall Together Family Hub
Infant feeding - Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Walsall Families in the KNOW | Walsall | Facebook
Walsall SENDIASS - Family Action
Reflexions (@bchft_reflexions) • Instagram photos and videos
Nurseries that offer NHS Staff Discounts: Home | Walsall Childcare
Parenting Support | City Of Wolverhampton Council
Family Hubs | City Of Wolverhampton Council
Infant Feeding Team | Wolverhampton Information Network
Wolverhampton Family Hubs | Wolverhampton | Facebook
SEND Early Identification and Support Services | City Of Wolverhampton Council
Home | Wolverhampton Information, Advice & Support Service
Reflexions (@bchft_reflexions) • Instagram photos and videos
Nurseries that offer NHS Staff Discount: Little Walkers Day Nursery - Coseley | Wolverhampton Information Network
Women’s Wellbeing
For women, in particular, the pursuit of wellbeing is a complex and multifaceted journey that encompasses physical health, mental resilience, social connections, and personal growth. It’s a delicate balancing act, one that requires constant attention and care.
Webinars were delivered within Black Country to support staff working in Health and Social with understanding the impact of menopause:
Menopause...or just me?
- Introduction to the Menopause
- Symptoms of the Menopause
- Treatments for the Menopause
- What if the Menopause doesn't affect me?
- Non HRT treatments
- Psychological effects of the Menopause
- Is it just hormones?
- Menopause in the Workplace
- Peri-menopause
- Seeking advice and support
- Physical effects of the Menopause
Useful resources:
- British Menopause Society - www.thbms.org.uk
- NHS - https://
www. nhs.uk/ conditions/ menopause/ - Henpicked - https:/
/ henpicked.net/ - The Menopause Exchange - www.menopause-exchange.co.uk
- Women’s Health Concerns - www.womens-health-concern.org
- Menopause Matters - https:/
/ www. menopausematters.co.uk/ - The Daisy Network - https:/
/ www. daisynetwork.org/ - Dr Louise Newson’s Menopause Doctor – www.menopausedoctor.co.uk
- Manage My Menopause – https://
www. managemymenopause.co.uk/ menopause-advice/ - Rock My Menopause - https://rockmymenopause.com/
- Menopause Support - https:/
/ menopausesupport.co.uk/ - Diane Porterfield-Bourne Bourne2care - https:/
/ bourne2care.co.uk/ - Holland & Barrett Support Menopause Support | Anonymous Menopause Helpline | H&B (hollandandbarrett.com)
- NuMind Wellness https://numindwellness.com/pages/menopause-support
HRT Prepayment Certificate: You can get an HRT prescription prepayment certificate (HRT PPC) from the NHS if you’ve been prescribed an eligible hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medicine.
Men’s Wellbeing
Men’s health encompasses a vast array of practices essential for longevity and quality of life. Learn tips for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
- Tough Enough To Care - Locations of different local support groups
- Directions for Men - Empowering men to talk about mental health
- Andy’s Man Club - Suicide prevention charity listing local groups and online meetings
- Men’s Health Week 9-15 June 2025 resources | Mates in Mind - Support mental health conversations
- Men's Health Week 2025 | Talking about cancer with Macmillan
- Men's Health Hub | NHS Professionals
- Birmingham Community Charity | Menkind
- The Black Country Blokes – Chewing The Fat
- Let's Talk Men's Mental Health | Facebook
- Mental Health - Wolves Foundation
- Men's Health and Wellbeing – Men's Health and wellbeing group in Birmingham for men to discuss, engage and socialise
- Whats Happening | Mandem Meetup
- Best Mental Health For Men Podcasts (2025)
- Men's health guidance | NHS Employers
Nationwide events: Mental Health Events - MANUP
- DudleyCI
- Let's get active outdoors | Dudley Council
- Facebook – Let’s Talk at The Birdie
- Dudley MAD Group - Dudley Men with anxiety and Depression Group
- Halesowen Mental Health Group - Halesowen weekly support Group
- Dudley's Peer to Peer Support Network - Dudley CVS
- Health Dudley Facebook
Carers Wellbeing
Carers often find it hard to look after their own health and wellbeing due to the demanding nature of their caring duties. See information on organisations that offer individuals additional support.
To find out how you can get support within your local area see below:
- Carers UK - National information and resources
- Dudley Carers Hub - Dudley council and supports unpaid carers
- We Love Carers - Stourbridge based charity offering support
- Carer Support - Wolverhampton council carer support
- Support for Carers - Sandwell council support for carers
- Walsall Carers Hub - Support and information
Financial Wellbeing
Financial wellbeing refers to the state of having a healthy relationship with money, encompassing the ability to manage spending, saving and debt effectively to enjoy life today and secure a stable future.
Right now we’re all feeling the pinch, the UK is amidst a cost of living crisis. Prices are rising at rates we have never seen since the 1970s, with energy, fuel, water, council tax, food, broadband and more at extortionate prices.
Financial stability plays a huge role in our overall wellbeing and is fundamentally important to all staff. Money worries can impact our mental health, with financial stress leading to sleepless nights, anxiety and an inability to fully focus whilst at work.
The issue of financial wellbeing is interlinked: people with financial worries are more likely to experience mental health problems, and people with mental health problems are more likely to have financial worries.
We understand how much money worries and stress can affect the overall wellbeing of our staff and we recognise that this is a difficult time for people. Our staff are our greatest asset, you work tirelessly to provide compassionate, professional, respectful and inclusive care, which we thank you for.
There’s a lot going on at the moment regarding all things financial and it can be difficult to manage all the different bills and payments in our lives.
Moneyhelper – Financial Support
Moneyhelper (HM Government approved) provides a range of tools, advice and guidance to help prioritise and provide extra support if you are struggling financially.
Bill Prioritiser - The Bill prioritiser can help you sort your bills and payments in the right order and tell you what you need to do if you are struggling to pay your bills. Help with bills and payments MoneyHelper
Living on a squeezed income - This tool supports you to keep track of spending and provides information on how to save money and cut back on cost and details the extra support available. Living on a squeezed income | MoneyHelper
Government support for the cost of living: - The Government has produced a cost of living factsheet which outlines the support available, Government Cost of Living Factsheet
Food Banks across the Black Country
Black Country Foodbank helps vulnerable individuals and families in crisis through the provision of 3 days emergency food supplies while a longer-term solution is developed.
The services provided have an enormous impact on the people who use them, giving them an important breathing space at a time of great need.
There are in 24 locations across the Black Country, for further details and locations please use the links below:
Facebook Page - Black Country Food Bank
The Trussel Trust
We know it’s a challenging time for everyone at the moment as the financial crisis unfolds. Food banks are grassroots, community organisations aimed at supporting people who cannot afford the essentials in life.You can contact your local food bank: Trussel Trust - Get Help Food Bank
For advice and support around your financial crisis you can also call one of our free national helplines. More information can be found on the Get Help page.
**It is important to note that the teams working at food banks across The Black Country, always maintain the upmost confidentiality and please be assured that for anyone feeling nervous about using foodbanks their anonymity would be ensured, it would never be shared with your employer**
Choosing between heating and eating?
Councils have just got a new tranche of £500 million for the Household Support Fund, to help provide support to people with their essential. Frustratingly, the last tranche has just closed, but there is a new one due soon. Contact your local authority to see if you are, or will be, eligible.
About 20 million households in England in council tax bands A to D will get a £150 rebate on their council tax from April. This is part of Government measures to support people through the crisis.
If you pay your council tax by direct debit, the £150 should be paid into your bank account in April. If not, you'll be notified about how to claim it, and if you don't do that, it'll be a rebate on your bill. See how to ensure you get the £150 council tax help.
Check to see if you are eligible for benefits, even if you only qualify for a small amount, it can open the door to other support such as council tax reductions and reduced utility tariffs. Use the 10-minute benefit checker to find out.
