11 February 2021

Dyfed Powys Police Federation is here to help and support members with their physical and mental health.

That’s the message from the branch’s wellbeing lead Dai Gaskins as he outlined the support offered by the Force and backed up by the Federation’s own initiatives.

Dai said: “It’s more important than ever that we look after our mental and physical health. Policing is a physically and mentally demanding job, and it’s even more challenging at the moment because of the pandemic.

“Our members are there to serve the public, protect the NHS and support other agencies to enforce the lockdown – and we’re here for them.”

Recent figures from a Police Federation survey revealed that more than two thirds of Dyfed Powys respondents had experienced difficulties with their health and wellbeing in the last year.

The Federation’s demand, capacity and welfare survey found that 71 per cent of respondents from the Force had experienced feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety,or other difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the last 12 months.

Of these, 84 per cent indicated these feelings were caused, or made worse by, work.

• Some 23 per cent of Dyfed Powys Police respondents viewed their job as very or extremely stressful

• 16 per cent reported they had suffered one or more injuries that required medical attention as a result of work-related violence in the last year.

• And 15 per cent reported they’d suffered one or more injuries that required medical attention as a result of work-related accidents in the last year.

Dai said: “It’s been an incredibly demanding time for police officers and it’s clearly having an impact. As a Federation, we’re here to support members and can point them in the direction of help and support if they need it. My message would be: you’re not alone.”

Support services offered through the Force include Care First, a free, independent and confidential 24-hour helpline; self-help films and a dedicated Covid-19 mental health page on the Force intranet.

There are a range of organisations that the Federation can refer members to including Police Care UK, an independent charity for serving and veteran officers, staff and volunteers and their families who have suffered physical or psychological harm through policing.

Federation members who subscribe to the Federation's Group Insurance Schemecan also access the Health Assured employee assistance programme and GP24, which provides access to a GP over the phone 24/7.

Officers are also encouraged to look out for each other’s mental health in the Federation’s Hear ‘Man Up’, Think ‘Man Down’ campaign which urges officers not to ignore the signs when colleagues are struggling and to encourage them to seek appropriate support.