Revolutionising Wellbeing Support: 700 EEAST Staff Empowered with ‘Time for Me’

Since its launch in May 2024, Time for Me, the platform powered by Hapstar, has transformed mental health and wellbeing support at the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST).
With nearly 700 employees and volunteers registered, over 60,000 wellbeing data points have been captured, enabling targeted support and early intervention.
This initiative has identified 55 instances of crisis intervention, supported over 70 individuals through sensitive anonymous feedback, and provided actionable insights into workplace stressors and resilience-building needs.
Introduction
Frontline workers face increasing challenges to their mental health and wellbeing, with growing pressures leading to unprecedented levels of burnout and mental health crises.
At the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST), the wellbeing team supports over 6,000 staff across six counties, operating a 24/7 service. Despite these efforts, addressing wellbeing needs across such a vast region remained a significant challenge.
In response, EEAST introduced an innovative wellbeing initiative: Time for Me, powered by Hapstar. This is a customised version of the Hapstar online platform for mental health and wellbeing, designed specifically to work for EEAST.
The Need for ‘Time for Me’
EEAST identified several critical requirements for a new wellbeing solution:
Availability: Accessible 24/7, year-round.
Remote Access: Usable on shift, at home, or anywhere.
Crisis Support: A reliable resource for those in urgent need.
Resilience Building: Tools to empower individuals to manage their own wellbeing.
Discreet Communication: An anonymous channel for seeking help.
Customisation: Tailored to the unique needs of EEAST.
Data-Driven Insights: A measurable approach to wellbeing.
With Hapstar, EEAST achieved these goals and introduced additional features, including a score-based early warning system and anonymous two-way messaging for urgent support.
Key Features of ‘Time for Me’
The initiative delivers comprehensive support through:
24/7 Access: Mental health and wellbeing tools available via mobile app and EEAST devices.
Wellbeing Profiles: Users reflect on their mental health and create actionable plans for improvement.
Proactive Support: Low scores on wellbeing indicators trigger signposting to relevant resources.
Anonymous Feedback: A channel for employees to share concerns discreetly with the wellbeing team.
Customisation: Sector-specific resources, Trust-aligned branding, and focus on issues like sexual safety and financial wellbeing.
Impact and Outcomes
Since its launch in May 2024, Time for Me has achieved remarkable results:
Engagement: Nearly 700 employees and volunteers registered, contributing over 60,000 wellbeing data points.
Assessments: Over 1,500 short- and long-form assessments completed voluntarily.
Crisis Intervention: 55 employees sought urgent help via the platform, and 70+ shared sensitive concerns anonymously.
Targeted Support: Data-driven insights informed initiatives such as financial wellbeing sessions and anxiety management workshops.
Lives Impacted: The initiative helped prevent escalation of workplace related crises, and supported individuals facing trauma and broader mental health issues.
Collaboration with Hapstar
EEAST’s partnership with Hapstar has been instrumental in the success of Time for Me. Key collaborative efforts include:
Engaging staff champions to understand their needs.
Developing new features like resilience programs and TRiM digitization.
Aligning content with specific support requirements and Trust language.
Involving Hapstar in events like the Emergency Services Show and executive Q&A sessions.
Supporting academic research on burnout among paramedics.
Innovation and Evidence
The platform’s data-driven approach has provided unprecedented insights into workforce wellbeing, with over 50 data points per user. These insights guide Health and Safety reviews and workforce stress assessments, making wellbeing a measurable and actionable priority. Upcoming developments include AI-driven enhancements and personalised resilience programs.
Conclusion
Time for Me has been a hugely successful addition to the dedicated support for workforce wellbeing provided by EEAST.
By addressing mental health proactively and efficiently, EEAST has set a new standard in the blue light sector. The initiative’s measurable impact and commitment to continuous improvement position EEAST as a leader in employee wellbeing.
This initiative is not only a testament to the hard work of our team but also a beacon of hope for a healthier and more resilient future.