06 I’ll be your buddy


In tough times, the union can be there to help colleagues avoid mental distress and solve their problems, says tutor Caroline Holmes


wearing hoodies or shorts and a T-shirt and being able to Zoom into meetings anywhere had their advantages. But more than three months


W


down the line it is feeling different. Balancing a laptop on your knee in the bedroom and using the bedside table as a desk is not a long-term solution. For many put on furlough there was the constant fear they would be first in line when the redundancies started. And now they have. Huge numbers of freelances who watched their work dry up became desperate because they had no access to the government’s Covid-19 financial packages. People still working also became anxious as they hardly ever heard from their line manager. Tose on their own began to suffer from loneliness, others with families were run ragged, juggling work and key stage 2 maths tuition. It has all taken a toll on people’s mental health. Te NUJ was there to help, Caroline Holmes (pictured), head of the union’s reps’ training programme told a Zoom meeting for reps on supporting members’ health and wellbeing.


orking from home when it all started didn’t seem too bad – no commuting,


She said: “We are not mental health experts, but the union has prepared lots of information; we can signpost people to expert organisations and put in place practical steps to help. We recommend ways employers can provide safe working from home and a safe return to the office. We can reach out to members. A buddy system can be a useful strategy, encouraging people to pair up with one another, keeping in contact or inviting colleagues along to branch meetings. Tis is can be vital for freelances, who are not in a chapel structure. As reps we must safeguard our own mental health and watch our workloads. I have prepared a webinar offering useful tips.”


One rep has sent out a survey


to colleagues (including non- members) asking whether they have the right kit for working from home. Having the proper gear can reduce stress. Te NUJ can help set up such surveys. John Toner, national


organiser Scotland, recommended union members became mental health first-aiders and get their employer to pay for training.


Ann Galpin, chair of the NUJ Disabled Members Council, said: “For people already dealing with mental distress, the lockdown may have cut them off from support networks, treatment and their usual means of managing their mental health. Tey may be further frustrated because they need extra help to be able to work virtually and digitally.” Helping you to stay fit and healthy at home and work: htps://www.youtube. com/watch?v=JnOBD5_ U8yU&feature=youtu.be


Info


You can watch the NUJ’s supporting members’ health and wellbeing webinar: htps://www.youtube.com/watch?v= bvNjBUvUjTI&feature=youtu.be


NUJ mental health awareness podcast, advice, tips, checklists, links to expert organisations and mental first-aid training:


htps://www.nuj.org.uk/news/mental- health-awareness-week-2020/


Reps’ Covid-19 webinars:


htps://www.nuj.org.uk/news/ reps-sessions-during-covid-19/


WELLBEING


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8