South Wales Police Federation chair Steve Treharne has welcomed a boost to the pioneering Welfare Support Programme which provides members with a wide range of services including clinical assessment and counselling.

The new programme has been developed by the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) and is being funded by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

It also offers person-centred support, access to fully trained and accredited professionals, independent and confidential support and referrals-appropriate follow-on specialist support.

All subscribing PFEW members can access the support provided by the programme which complements the welfare services already available to officers across the Force.

Steve said: “The welfare and health of our members is a top priority and we are always here for them to provide help and support whenever they need it.

“The provisions of the Welfare Support Programme will sit alongside the excellent services that we already make available to our members. Any initiative designed to improve the wellbeing of our members is to be welcomed and we are pleased to be teaming up with our colleagues at the DMWS to offer this new programme.”

PFEW chair John Apter found out more about the new welfare support programme when he visited the DMWS headquarters in Hampshire with policing minister Kit Malthouse.

John said: “We’re delighted to be working with Defence Medical Welfare Service to deliver our Welfare Support Programme. Our local Federation branches already go above and beyond to help members in their time of need, but thanks to DMWS we can go one step further and provide this extra and invaluable support service to all.

“We are very pleased with the progress so far and we know it is already making a tangible difference to the lives of our colleagues who, when in a dark place, often don’t feel comfortable reaching out to their force, but look to the Federation for support.”

Mr Malthouse said: “Our police officers go above and beyond every single day – risking their safety to protect the public and keep us all safe – so it’s vital we give them the health and wellbeing support they need.

“The work of the Defence Medical Welfare Service complements our efforts and gives police officers a place to go in their time of need – I’m extremely grateful for their efforts and was delighted to visit and see their excellent work in action.”

To find out more about the new WPS, or to get support, please contact DMWS at police@mws.uk.com or on 01264 586 942.