Wellbeing

Your RNLI manager is here to support you in your role and is the first port of call for you to raise any concerns or emerging issues. They can signpost you to support through the RNLI or make changes to help you feel better – whether that’s reducing the pressure on you for a short time or getting you more involved with something you love doing.  

If you are not sure who to speak to, you can find contact details for a range of support teams on our get in touch page.

The RNLI’s Welfare Adviser is available for confidential chats with anyone who is going through a difficult time or who may be concerned about the welfare of a team member. Common issues include physical or mental health, stress, trauma, work, volunteering, finances, bereavement, and relationships. The Welfare Adviser is here to listen without judgement and to help you access the right support, either internal or external to the RNLI.

You can contact our Welfare Adviser, Miriam Lewis, at +44 (0)7824 866046 or email [email protected].

RNLI Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders) are here to have a confidential chat with anyone who has a mental health concern or is concerned about the mental health of someone else. They are peers who have been trained to listen, provide initial support and signpost you to further help if needed. There are currently over 100 MHFAiders across all RNLI regions and nations in Ireland and the UK. You can reach out to any MHFAider; they do not need to be in your team or region.

To connect with a Mental Health First Aider or find out more, email [email protected].

Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) is a voluntary and confidential peer-support system designed to assist any RNLI person who has been involved in or exposed to a potentially traumatic incident as part of their RNLI role.

TRiM practitioners are non-medical colleagues from within the RNLI who have received specific training enabling them to understand the effects that traumatic events can have on people and to identify signs of distress that may otherwise go unnoticed. They are here to listen, offer practical advice and signpost you to other appropriate sources of support if needed.  

To request TRiM support or to find out more, get in touch by emailing [email protected] or by calling the RNLI Central Operations and Information Room:

You can also request TRiM support through contacting the RNLI Central Operations and Information Room:  

Freephone UK: 0800 011 3129  

Freephone Ireland: 1800 200 376 

Email: [email protected]

The RNLI Occupational Health Team specialises in ensuring volunteers and staff are fit to perform their roles. As well as providing expert advice and support on issues of health and wellbeing across the RNLI, they’re responsible for: 

• processing and recording health assessments 
• coordinating health surveillance activities 
• providing impartial advice in referred cases where someone’s role may be adversely impacting their health – or their health may be impacting their ability to perform their role. 

Speak to your volunteer manager if you’d like to be referred to talk to an occupational health adviser, or get in touch with the team to find out more by calling +44 (0)1202 663567 or emailing [email protected].

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t bottle it up. There are several ways in which volunteers and staff can raise an issue or a concern. Read more about the options available to you in the Raising Organisational Concerns Policy (PDF 178KB).

Samaritans (UK and Ireland): Call 116 123 – whatever you are going through, a Samaritan will face it with you.  

Shout (UK): Text SHOUT to 85258 to text with a trained volunteer. 

Text 50808 (Ireland): Text HELLO to 50808 to text with a trained volunteer.

Contact your GP to discuss any concerns over your physical or mental health – they can refer you to a specialist if needed. 

• Hub of Hope UK Mental Health Support Directory  
• NHS England Mental Health Support Services  
• NHS 24 Mental Health Services Scotland
• NHS 111 Wales Health, Wellbeing and Support Services Search  
• NI Direct Mental Health Services  
• HSE Ireland Mental Health Service Search

Looking after our mental health is not something we should only do if we are struggling, feeling low, anxious, or stressed. Our mental health is something we should prioritise and invest in, just like our physical health. Explore the resources below to see what you can do to boost your mental wellbeing. 

Official government websites for the UK and Ireland: 

• NHS England – Every Mind Matters  
• Clear Your Head Scotland  
• Public Health Wales – How are you doing? 
• NI Direct – Healthy Lives 
• HSE – Your Mental Health 
• Gov.ie Healthy Ireland  

Useful self-care resources, information and support: 

• MIND – How to improve your mental wellbeing  
• MIND – Complete a Wellness Action Plan to help you and your manager understand what helps you stay well in your role 
• Samaritans – Self-Help App 
• Mental Health Foundation – Looking after your mental health  
• Mental Health Ireland – 5 Ways to Wellbeing

Any amount of physical activity is good for you and your wellbeing. Local walks, running, swimming, yoga or cycling are great ways to clear your head and stay active, no matter how long or short your session is. 

• NHS Get Active  
• Gov.ie Keeping Active  
• Living Streets – UK Charity for Everyday Walking  
• Get Ireland Walking