Respectful Care Mansfield has appointed a welfare liaison and mental health first aider after recognising the effects of Covid-19 and day to day pressures placed on its care workforce.

Sally Wells will be stepping into the role with immediate effect in a move that will support the branch and its 80 employees by offering an increased focus on their wellbeing.

In her new position, Sally, who has been working in the care sector for over 15 years, will recognise signs of workplace stress and mental health issues, offering or guiding a person towards the correct support if needed.

The need for her role was first identified during the pandemic, with the Respectful Care Mansfield management team wanting to provide additional support for care staff. Sally will act as a central point of contact that the staff can access to specifically discuss their welfare.

“Care staff are the unsung heroes of the care sector,” she said. “They inspire me daily by going out and providing care and support to those that are the most vulnerable in our community. It’s an emotional but rewarding role, and it takes a special kind of person to do that. Throughout the pandemic, they have all delivered support to others, putting their own needs last. This role is to allow care workers to speak about how they are feeling and for us to support them with their needs.

“We are proud to have an open-door policy at Respectful Care Mansfield. Staff are always welcome to call in for a chat, whether to discuss how their day has gone or because they have had a more difficult day than usual. Protected time slots can also be booked, so there are no interruptions if they would like to discuss something particularly distressful.

“I sincerely hope that this role will open up the lines of communication and carers will receive the support they need.”

Keeley Riley, registered care manager at Respectful Care Mansfield, said: “Covid-19 has highlighted the need for better mental health and wellbeing support, especially for our care staff who are selfless and heroic, front-line workers.

“Sally’s career pathway and wealth of experience in the mental health sector made her the perfect person to become our dedicated Welfare Liaison and Mental Health First Aider. This, in addition to her kind, understanding and empathic nature made the decision easy. Sally will be supporting both staff and clients throughout their Respectful Care journey and she has already made such a significant difference to those she’s met, in such a short space of time.

“We are proud to announce this specific role and I think we can all agree Sally’s role as a Welfare Liaison and Mental Health First Aider is invaluable and one that all companies should have, to professionally and personally support staff, clients and their families.”