Our Offering

We are offering coaching support to any member of staff working in any role in within the Primary Care Network (GP Surgeries) and Care Provider Workforce across Dorset. Individuals can refer themselves, a colleague, or even a whole team to benefit from our support.

We use a holistic approach to supporting our colleagues, and recognise the relationship between physical and mental health in improving wellbeing.

What is Health & Wellbeing Coaching?

Coaching is about collaborating and working together so that you can discover your inner strengths and resources which will help you to navigate life problems more effectively. Coaching can be seen as a protected space which is solution-focused and practical, helping you reach your desired goals and make positive changes in your life.

How can coaching help me?

Whether you are struggling with stress, burnout or want to support your own resilience and/or physical wellbeing, we can help. Coaching supports increased capacity to make good health choices.

What should I expect from coaching?

Coaching is a proactive process between you and your coach. You can expect to be listened to and respected by your coach. You can also expect to be supported and empowered to challenge yourself in reaching your own goals.

During coaching you are always in control and it is you who decides what to focus on during each session. The role of the coach is to accompany you on your individual and unique journey of self-discovery.

What are the benefits of Coaching?

Improved sense of direction and focus
Increased knowledge of self & self-awareness
Improved ability to relate to and influence others
Increased motivation
Improved personal effectiveness
Increased sense of self-compassion
Increased resourcefulness/resilience, e.g. ability to handle change.

How is it different from counselling?

Both coaching and counselling are helpful in supporting you to reach your goals and feel happier in your life. Coaching is about empowering you to make desired positive changes in your life when you feel ready to be more proactive and solution focused. Counselling is for people who perhaps currently feel more overwhelmed with their mental health and need more complex emotional support.

What coaching is not

Coaching is not structured training, e.g. classroom learning. It is not a replacement for counselling, therapy and or mental health support.

Team Support

Looking for support for your whole team?

We can offer tailored support based on a team’s individual needs. To explore this option, please email us, and a member of our team will be in contact to discuss.

If you work in a Primary Care or Care Provider setting, you can also refer your whole team using our dedicated team referral form. Our confidential and streamlined referral process will help you to provide us with essential information about your team's wellbeing needs and preferences. Once we receive the referral, we will promptly reach out to coordinate the next steps and tailor our services to your team's unique requirements.

Who is this service for?

This service is for all staff working in Primary Care and Care Workforce in Dorset. Our service is designed to complement employers’ existing wellbeing support. If you’ve already explored what your own organisation offers and need more, or you would rather approach external support, we’re here for you.

I don’t know what I need. Is this the right service for me?

We’re skilled in asking the right questions. Our assessment will identify what you need, and across the team, we can work together to design the best support for you.

How are you different from what’s already available?

We have a collaborative approach with our partner organisations and are here to complement – not replace – the wellbeing support you can already access from your employer. We also want the service to be flexible and responsive, adding extra capacity and services where we discover there’s a gap or a need.

What type of support could I get?

It depends on the outcome of the initial assessment. We offer a variety of support, ranging from simple advice and guidance through to a bespoke treatment plan, signposting or access to other physical or mental health services. We will talk through the options with you and agree a way forward together.

Will what I tell you be kept confidential?

Yes – like any NHS service, any information you give us will be held in line with Information Governance.

Will I have to wait long to get support?

Referrals are monitored, and the phone line is staffed 8 am – 4 pm Monday - Friday. We will acknowledge your referral within 72 hours. An initial assessment will take place within seven days of the acknowledgement.

What experience do the people in the service have?

We have a team of experienced wellbeing coaches, with specialisms in a variety of fields. We work together, combining our collective expertise and experience in mental and physical health. We like to consider a person’s complete wellbeing – their mental and physical wellbeing are inextricably linked.

What happens when I call or submit a referral form?

If you call us we’ll take your details and talk you through series of questions to understand why you’re calling. That information is passed onto an appropriate clinical member of the team who will call you for assessment.

If you send a referral form through the website your first contact will be with a clinical member of the team.
If you refer a colleague through the website a team member will follow up with a phone call before an assessment.
If you refer a team through the website a team member will follow up with a phone call to the team leader.

About WellNet

WellNet is Our Dorset’s all-new, one-stop platform for staff wellbeing aiming to transform system-wide access to wellbeing support in a social and inclusive way by building a community of practice that promotes resource sharing, collaboration and support for one another.

WellNet will recognise and celebrate the diverse range of activities colleagues across the system engage in to look after their health and wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.

Coming Soon: The WellNet Mobile App

The WellNet mobile app will soon be available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, keeping wellbeing support, events and resources at your fingertips. Please keep an eye on your WellNet noticeboard and your organisation's staff communications channels for guidance on downloading the app.

For now, enjoy the features of the WellNet website:

All WellNet 1.0 features are still available on the platform, allowing you to:
Explore everything staff wellbeing from across Dorset all in one place via a sleek, user-friendly interface.
Easily locate wellbeing resources using the advanced search feature that allows you to sort content by topic, type or keyword.
See only wellbeing resources and events from your organisation on your My Organisation page.
Join wellbeing groups from across the system, engage with colleagues and interact with wellbeing updates in your community.
Share resources and events with colleagues across various platforms using the social sharing feature.
Keep up to date on events to support your mental and physical health.
Customise your experience using the in-built, power-packed accessibility toolbar from ReciteMe.