Getting support when you need it
Being involved in politics should be fun and rewarding. But it can be stressful and at times any of us may need to turn to others for help or support.
Often that support can best come from colleagues in your local party or a party body you are active in. But sometimes help is needed elsewhere, and this piece sets out the main places to turn.
Health Assured 24/7 helpline
Health Assured is an independent health and wellbeing provider that can offer wellbeing resources as well as a 24/7 365 helpline.
They are a great partner for our members as they are the same provider the Liberal Democrats use for employees.
All Liberal Democrat members have access to the Health Assured Support Helpline at 0800 028 0199 and a range of other resources such as a website and an app.
For how to access this service please see the FAQs below.
Able Futures Resilience Coaching
Member’s health and wellbeing is our highest priority and we are always looking for ways we can enhance the support we provide. That’s why the party has partnered with Able Futures.
Able Futures delivers Mental Health Support Service which can give members a mental health professional to talk to about whatever is playing on their mind.
Support from Able Futures is available over the phone and through email or video calls at a time to suit. Any member who feels they could benefit from some support with their mental health and wellbeing should call Able Futures on 0800 321 3137 or sign-up online.
For how to access this service please see the FAQs below.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Liberal Democrat members can reach out to either Able Futures or Health Assured for mental health or wellbeing advice and support.
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Any Liberal Democrat member who feels they could benefit from some support with their mental health and wellbeing should call Able Futures on 0800 321 3137 or sign-up online.
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All our members can access the Health Assured Support Helpline which is 0800 028 0199 they will be asked; what organisation are they from? All they need to answer is Liberal Democrats.
Our members can also download the My Healthy Advantage app at Google Playstore or the App store. That will give them access to a range of supporting resources. They will be asked for a code which is MHA173626 and then will be asked to register with their own details.This video shows what you can expect from the app
The service can also be accessed via desktop here. The username is wellbeing and the password is MakeMoonShed1.
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All Liberal Democrat members.
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Access to both Able Futures and Health Assured is free for all Liberal Democrat members.
There’s no charge to use the service and over nine months of support from Able Futures can help members to build self-care and wellbeing routines, tackle issues, feel better and learn new ways to manage their mental health throughout the ups and downs of life.
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If you are a councillor (including town, parish and community councillors) and there are significant problems in your local council group, or in dealing with the local council, ALDC can either provide advice or point you at the best local government colleagues to assist.
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If you need support because of issues in your local party, advice and help can be provided by your regional party (in England) or by the Scottish or Welsh Liberal Democrats. You can get in touch membership@libdems.org.uk who can direct you to your relevant Region/State.
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If you have made a complaint through the party’s complaints process, pastoral care can also be provided by the People Team. Additional support can also be provided if the case involves a hearing about very serious or sensitive matters, such as allegations of bullying or harassment.
If you are the respondent to a complaint, a process mentor can be provided to help you understand how the complaints process works.
To access this support, contact the Standards Officer on standardsofficer@libdems.org.uk.
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Additional support is available to Federal Party staff. Please contact your line manager or the HR team to find out more.
Arrangements vary for other staff in the party, but if in doubt you can contact the Federal Party HR team on people@libdems.org.uk for help in finding out what support is available.