What we've been up to
Families toolkit
We have just launched our families toolkit. This toolkit has been designed for forces, by forces with the aim of ensuring that police families are heard, valued, informed and know where to seek wellbeing support for their loved ones if they need it.
It is intended to help bolster the support that forces currently have available to strengthen connections with police families and acknowledge the vital role they play, whilst often managing their own busy careers and commitments.
As our knowledge and understanding of this area deepens, we will continue to update the toolkit, so it remains an up to date and valuable resource to share best practice across all forces.
Local healthcare engagement resource
Over the past two years, we’ve worked with a team of experts in policing, the NHS, and Integrated Care Systems to develop an approach for policing in engaging with NHS services.
This practical support from Oscar Kilo aims to discover and develop shared approaches between policing occupational health teams and health partners for improved efficiency, resource use and experiences in healthcare.
By creating this resource and helping police forces initiate and progress conversations with their local Integrated Care Boards (England) and Health Boards (Wales), the hope is that through shared expertise, resources and commitment, this partnership will sustain the health and resilience of police officers, ensuring their continued ability to serve and protect the community.
There is a critical connection between crime and harm in community health and the physical and mental health challenges faced in policing, so a partnership between policing and the NHS solidifies a commitment to the wellbeing not only of our staff, but also of the communities they serve.
Read more and access resources
Catch up on Wellfest webinars
Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police’s Wellbeing team have just successfully finished their fifth annual virtual wellbeing festival and have made the recordings available for those of you who missed them.
They ran over 30 sessions that covered all areas of wellbeing including guest speakers sharing their own inspiring stories; Charlie Morley, the ‘Sleep Guy’, retired sergeant Andy Wilson who spoke openly about his survival journey into and out of a mental health issue, and so many more. They were honoured to be joined this year by Figen Murray OBE, campaigner, counsellor, life coach, and mother of Martyn Hett, who was tragically killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017.
Workforce prioritisation guidance
Last month we told you about how we are starting to introducing our new workforce prioritisation guidance to forces through their chief officer teams. We are pleased to announce that former President of the Police Superintendent’s Association (PSA), Paul Fotheringham will be working with the National Police Wellbeing Service to carry out this work.
Paul said, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to support Andy and the team in delivering the NPWS Workforce Prioritisation Guidance across the country. While we made significant strides during my tenure as President of the PSA, I felt there was still unfinished business for me in this critical area. So, when I received the call to help, I couldn’t turn it down. There’s much work to be done, and I look forward to reconnecting with colleagues and working more broadly to support forces in delivering first-class welfare and wellbeing for their staff."
National Black Police Association Conference
Essex Police hosted the 2024 National Black Police Association Conference at Stansted Airport. The three-day event attracted a wide range of attendees, including police officers, staff, community members and representatives from various organizations. Oscar Kilo and the College of Policing jointly hosted a booth, engaging with numerous conference participants. The conference featured a diverse lineup of speakers who delivered stimulating and thought-provoking presentations. Key speakers included former California Chief of Police Nicholas Sensley, Baroness Warsi and Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson, who provided a pre-recorded video message.
Royal support for Southport
It was an honour to come together with the Prince and Princess of Wales in Southport last month, where they met the bereaved families of those lost in the fatal knife attack in July, as well as emergency responders who were on the scene.
Our NPWS Service Director, Andy Rhodes OBE QPM, was present to facilitate the conversation between the responders and their Royal Highnesses at Southport Community Centre.
The royal couple thanked the emergency workers from police and health services and spoke about the importance of protecting their wellbeing and mental health.
If you know someone who is struggling, check out our mental health and wellbeing resources
Oscar Kilo wellbeing vans
Many of you will know about our wellbeing vans and will probably have seen them in your force or at an event. But did you know we now have an unliveried van which can be used to support covert teams across the country. If you want to know more, or are interested in borrowing one of the vans, please get in touch or check out the wellbeing van page.
Occupational health update
October was a busy month for the occupational health community, our Practitioner Network continues to grow, and we recently welcomed our 200th member. We have hosted a whole network meeting with 45 attendees, a managers forum and a Chief Medical Officer medical forum. There was also a Welsh regional meeting and we attended the OHNAPS event where we received some great feedback.
What's coming soon
Investigator week of action
We are delighted to be supporting the NPCC Recruitment Retention and Wellbeing of Investigators Portfolio for the fourth year running with their wellbeing of investigators week of action which starts on Monday 11 November.
Developed and facilitated by the NPCC Recruitment Retention and Wellbeing of Investigators Portfolio, the week of action will involve a variety of daily webinars to share best practice and encourage national debate. Much of this work is included or aligned to the Investigator Wellbeing Toolkit, which is republished with updated guidance and interventions.
You can register for all the sessions you are interested in using the link button; a full description of each of the sessions can be found on the page.
Access the Wellbeing of Investigators toolkit
'Identity' our new film is on it's way
We are excited to launch 'Identity', the third film in our series of short but powerful films that are based on the real-life experiences of working police officers, at our conference on 2 December with a premiere screening for delegates. The resource will then be shared across forces before Christmas.
Introducing, ‘Identity’
Following on from the initial film ‘Purpose’ about new-recruit Alfie, and the second film ‘Meaning’, which followed Jake who was mid-service, this film, called 'Identity' focuses on Roopa, a police officer nearing the end of her career.
She’s heading towards retirement in her role as a Family Liaison Officer and is navigating what this big change will mean for her as she prepares to leave ‘the job’.
It picks up on the emotional journey that Roopa is going through as she navigates what retirement means for her, what she’ll do next, considering her ‘identity’ as an officer and reflecting on the impact she has had on people throughout her career.
Whilst some people look forward to their retirement and are well prepared, we know that not everybody is in the same position. For many people, this can be a very difficult transition.
Having successfully released two films like this already, we know how helpful they can in be in highlighting some of the challenges officers and staff face.
The key thing here is that these films encourage people to think about themselves, their colleagues, and their families, with signposting to places for support or guidance should they need it.
They give us a different way of being able to reach officers and staff who may just need that extra encouragement to seek out further support if they need it.
Along with lots of support already available in forces, we at Oscar Kilo are developing additional resources that officers and staff can access themselves directly through our website such as our leaver’s guides, families hub, and self-help resources.
Oscar Kilo conference and awards
It's only a matter of weeks now to the Oscar Kilo Conference and announcement of the Oscar Kilo Awards on 2-4 December.
At the event delegates will hear from senior leaders across policing about the critical role wellbeing plays at a national level, and within forces, emphasising its significance in supporting a resilient and effective workforce.
However, this conference goes beyond just the strategic view — it’s designed to be highly practical and interactive. Attendees will have the opportunity to drill down into key areas of wellbeing, gaining valuable knowledge and practical insight to take back to their forces. With a mix of workshops, Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities, delegates can share ideas, collaborate on solutions, and learn from each other’s experiences.
Throughout the three days, the conference will serve as a two-way learning experience, with NPWS capturing valuable feedback and insights from the delegates. These learnings will help us continue to shape and evolve our services to meet the unique needs of policing.
On the evening of Tuesday 3 December we will be announcing the winners of the Oscar Kilo Awards at a gala dinner, the Awards have been created to recognise the amazing work that has been done, and continues to be done, to provide wellbeing support across UK policing. We've had some fantastic entries this year and are excited to announce the winning projects.
Everyone who has registered for the conference should have received their joining instructions, if you haven't please get in touch.
Looking after our greatest asset. Enhancing wellbeing in policing conference
Our CEO Dr Ian Hesketh will be speaking at the Canterbury Centre of Policing Research conference in January 2025. Full details can be found below for anyone interested in attending.
Blue light alcohol experiment
For the third year we are proud to support the Live Alcohol experiment initiative developed by retired Chief Superintendent Maria Fox, Sgt Irene Laycock from GMP and DCI John Askew from West Midlands Police.
The experiment itself involves you taking a break from alcohol for as much of January 2025 as you choose, but a more important aspect is participating in the initiative to “experiment” with an extended but informed break from consuming alcohol – a dry January with a difference!
The components of the “live” experiment is access to daily content, live coaching and comradeship throughout January with a few added bonus webinars each weekend with guest experts, authors and speakers where you can ask your questions on subjects like alcohol and sleep, depression, fitness, metabolism, weight loss and so much more. It will be hosted primarily in a private closed Facebook group where you can share your thoughts, ideas, experiences with others throughout the month as much or as little as you choose.
We will share more details on how to sign up for this, on our website in the next few weeks.