Our Chief Executive, Dr Jill Tolfrey, yesterday joined HRH Duke of Cambridge and other leaders from across the UK’s emergency services for the inaugural meeting of the Emergency Responder Senior Leader Board.
The Board is the first of its kind, bringing leaders together on the issue of mental health. It will promote collaborative working across the nation’s emergency services to ensure that all emergency responders receive the mental health support they need.
The Board was established by His Royal Highness in response to a recommendation arising from a research project commissioned by The Royal Foundation in 2018 into the mental health and wellbeing of emergency responders in the UK. Conducted by King’s College London and the Open University, the work identified a need for greater sharing of ‘better practice’ across the emergency services sector to best support the mental health of its workforces. The Board meeting, which took place via video conference, was chaired by Professor Nicola Fear, King’s College London, who supervised The Royal Foundation’s research.
Speaking of her involvement in the inaugural meeting, Dr Tolfrey commented: “I was delighted to represent The Fire Fighters Charity on The Royal Foundation’s Emergency Responder Senior Leaders Board. This unique opportunity will allow us to work together for the common good of all emergency responders, enabling us to share all that we have learned and ensuring the promotion of positive mental health for those who work so hard to keep us safe.”
