Employee Assistance Programme

What is an Employee Assistance Programme?

An Assistance Programme is a 24/7 confidential service that provides a safe space for support, advice and guidance with any personal or professional problems that may affect your overall health and wellbeing - delivered by HA | Wisdom Wellbeing - the UK and Ireland’s leading wellbeing provider.

It’s not easy to balance the pressure of work, home life, and any other personal issues that you may be experiencing. HA | Wisdom Wellbeing provides support and guidance for staff and their immediate family (spouse/partners and children aged 16 to 24 in full-time education, living in the same household).

How do I access the Assistance Programme?

When the time feels right, you may feel the need to reach out for emotional or practical support. We know how difficult it can be to take those first steps. HA | Wisdom Wellbeing have qualified and experienced counsellors ready to listen and provide guidance when you need them the most. The service is free and available 24/7, 365 days a year so help is always available. You don’t need to let anyone know or ask permission from your manager or organisation before contacting HA | Wisdom Wellbeing.

What can I use this service for?

  • Stress & anxiety
  • Family issues
  • Relationships
  • Medical information
  • Consumer issues
  • Tax information
  • Housing concerns
  • Retirement
  • Bereavement
  • Alcohol or drug issues
  • Low mood
  • Financial wellbeing and information
  • Legal information

What are the wellbeing services available to you?

  • Life support: Access face to face, telephone, online counselling, life and leadership, coaching
  • Helpline: Unlimited access to our 24/7/365 confidential UK based telephone helpline for you and your immediate family members - contact number
  • Bereavement support: Advice, guidance, and counselling for grief in bereavement, as well as legal support for grief related legal matters.
  • Legal guidance: Guidance available on the Wisdom app as well as specialist legal and financial advisors Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Examples include wills and probate, motoring offences, medical negligence, buying and renting properties.
  • Wisdom app: Wisdom is your guide to health and mental wellbeing. The brand-new features are designed to help track your wellness, improve your mental health.
  • Online CBT support: SilverCloud provide self-help modules, fact sheets and guidance videos from leading qualified counsellors for a wide range of needs, including anxiety, depression, and menopause.
  • Medical information: Practical advice, guidance, and support from qualified nurses for a wide range of medical related health issues.
  • Wellbeing Resources - self-help tools and a range of wellbeing modules, factsheets, and invaluable video counselling.*
  • 4-week health plans: designed to support your health goals, whether that be eating healthier, quitting smoking, sleeping better, or coping with pressure.
  • Wellbeing Videos: WisdomTV is a monthly series, featuring well-known personalities talking about their personal experiences with mental health.

*Clinical assessment will be needed, to help support expectations.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find the answers to some frequently asked questions by members of the Aberystwyth community regarding HA | Wisdom Wellbeing. Additionally, you will find more FAQs on the HA | Wisdom Wellbeing website which can be accessed here: HA | Wisdom Wellbeing FAQs

FAQs

Am I able to speak to someone over the phone and in counselling sessions in Welsh?

A: Yes, when you call the helpline, you can request a translator to enable you to speak to the qualified counsellor or legal advisor in Welsh. If you are referred for counselling, you can request to have your sessions with a Welsh speaker.

After calling the service or downloading the app what data is shared with the university?

A: The university receives basic management information which includes the number of calls per month, and the general themes covered in the calls.

Wisdom Wellbeing will contact the university after receiving a referral form to acknowledge it has been received and again if they are unable to contact you.

You can see more about HA | Wisdom Wellbeing privacy policy here: HA | Wisdom Wellbeing Privacy Policy

If the university want to refer me, do they need my consent?

A: Yes, they need your confirmed consent.

Do I need to sign up with my university email address?

A: No, you can use either your work or personal email address to sign up. But importantly as per security protocols you do not use the same password as used for accessing work systems.

At what times can I access specific legal, medical and financial advice?

A: Medical advice is available Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. Legal and financial advice is available Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm.

What happens if I arrange a call back or consultation and I miss it?

A: Wisdom Wellbeing will attempt to make contact twice, if they are unable to make contact the case will be closed on their end but they usually ask if they can leave a voice mail or text if they haven’t been able make contact.

How do I gain access to Wisdom Wellbeing for my Spouse/partner and eligible children.

A: Spouses, partners and children can access Wisdom Wellbeing in the same way employees do.

Is there a limit on how many times I can call the helpline?

A: No, there is no limit. You can call the helpline 27/7, 365 days a year as many times as you need.

How long will I have access to the Wisdom Wellbeing App after signing up?

A:  For as long as the university have an EAP agreement with HA | Wisdom Wellbeing you will have access to the app.

After ringing the helpline how long will a referral for an appointment take?

A: After speaking to the helpline if counselling is required/ advised you will be matched with a counsellor within two working days. The first session is offered within three working days of being matched with a counsellor.

If I get referred to counselling sessions is there a limit to how many sessions I can have?

A: Your package is six sessions for one concern. If you have six sessions and then later experience a new problem you are entitled to another six sessions.

What if my issue or problem isn’t listed, can I still get support?

A: Yes, support can be provided to a large range of problems not just what is listed on the website

Will my information from the Wisdom Wellbeing App or helpline sessions be shared with my GP?

A: In most cases no. HA | Wisdom Wellbeing will only share information with your GP if the following applies: they believe someone is at risk of serious harm. You asked your GP to get you help because you can’t manage on your own, you expressed that you were experiencing thoughts of self-harm or having suicidal thoughts, your GP has been informed about potential acts of terror or bombings. Wisdom Wellbeing will always seek your consent before contacting your GP of the emergency services. But if it is deemed that you are at an immediate risk to yourself or others this may not be possible

Can you contact my GP for me?

A:  Yes, if it is deemed necessary and you have consented to that communication

If I require confidential support, can I specify a specific callback time or method of communication? (Domestic Abuse)

A:  Yes, HA | Wisdom Wellbeing is a confidential service.

What qualifications do the counsellors hold?

A: Wisdom Wellbeing Counsellors and practitioners are registered members or accredited by the BACP, NCPS, the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and/or the British Psychological Society (BPS)

 

Further Information