Social Wellbeing
4 Staff networks for people who are LGBT+, Women, Disabled people (including long term health conditions), or Minority Ethnic.. Being part of a Network will enable members to:
- Be part of a community of support ·
- Have a safe space to share experiences with other members ·
- Be part of a collective voice to influence positive change
Work with others to promote inclusion and challenge discrimination
Email: dg.staffnetworks@nhs.scot
If you provide help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour who is affected by long-term illness, disability, age or addiction, there are services to support YOU as an unpaid Carer including: Adult Carer Support Plans and Young Carer Statements, Breaks from Caring, Emergency Planning, Training, Money Matters and health and wellbeing support
Carers Support – Email: info@dgalcarers.org Website: www.dgalcarers.co.uk Telephone 01387 248600
Many companies offer special discounts for NHS staff and healthcare workers (and some that emergency services personnel can get too).
Most can be accessed either by showing your staff badge or through applying for a Blue Light Card ( for a £4.99 fee it provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in-store)
Check out the links below:
NHS freebies & discounts – MoneySavingExpert
There is a range of financial assistance towards health costs depending on your situation:
Women and girls often experience several forms of violence based on their gender including domestic abuse
There are many local and national organisations that can help if you’re suffering because of domestic abuse or other forms of violence
You can call Police Scotland on 101 (or 999 in an emergency) if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse or other forms of violence. You can also call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234 (24hrs).
There are also two local agencies that can help women and children. This includes emergency accommodation, with specialist facilities for older or disabled victims.
Dumfriesshire and Stewartry Women’s Aid – 01387 263052 or 07710 152772
Wigtownshire Women’s Aid – 01776 703104
Other sources of support
Dumfries and Galloway Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Support Centre – 01387 253113
Social Work Services – 030 33 33 3001
Rape Crisis Scotland – 0808 801 0302
More information and other forms of support can be found at Help-for-people-living-with-domestic-abuse
Digital wellbeing is the term used to describe the impact of technologies and digital services on peoples, mental, physical, social and emotional health.
Technology is everywhere. Sometimes it can be hard to remember when you last went five minutes without looking at a screen. Unhealthy use of technology can affect your physical and mental health as well as have impacts on you socially.
Checking our phones constantly and increasing our screen time on desktops, laptops and phones can lead to physical symptoms of burnout.
Symptoms could include decreased physical energy, loss of motivation, reduced productivity and feeling disconnected.
Steps to avoid burnout
Have a digital de clutter Check your inbox on your phone is there anything you could unsubscribe from?
Turn off Notifications – Go into your settings and switch off notifications.
Schedule Time to be Connected – Schedule time to scroll through social media, email etc. This can help avoid constantly flitting between them.
Schedule Time to Disconnect – Schedule time to be completely offline and physically distanced from your devices.
Digital Wellbeing in the Workplace
The way we communicate with one another has changed over the years. Due to the introduction of Microsoft Teams, Zoom, email and many others forms of technological communications this has led to an increase in screen time. Therefore, it is vital we adopt healthy workplace practices to avoid digital burnout.
How to improve your digital wellbeing in the workplace:
- Try to limit back to back meetings and if you can take short regular breaks.
- Try to allow 15 minutes in between meetings wherever possible.
- Could you participate in a meeting on your work phone (if you have one) whilst out for a walk with your headphones plugged in?
- Try to avoid scheduling unnecessary meetings, i.e. could an email cover it?
- Plan time in your diary to focus to allow completion of tasks.