Life in the Time of Covid - A guest blog for colleagues by Heather Sanders

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Heather Sanders joined Green Light in 2019 from the Care Quality Commission where she specialised in the inspection and regulation of autism and learning disability services. As well as leading Green Light’s quality assurance strategy Heather is a qualified Mental Health First Aider, counsellor and an active advocate of all things well being.

Life in the Time of Covid

I don’t know about you, but I was definitely hoping ‘lockdown’ would be a dim and distant 2020 memory by now and that 2021 was going to be the year of getting back to ‘normal’; I have a certain husband’s 50th birthday celebrations to sort out! But instead I’m not sure I know what the ‘new normal’ really is anymore. Far from getting back to doing all the things we have always taken for granted, we are back in lockdown 3. I’ve never been a big fan of serials and definitely not this one! I think it’s fair to say that we have all well and truly had enough of covid-19 and all its unwelcome mutations!

The pandemic has raised to an all-time high, well-founded concerns about people’s health, and as this saga continues, about our well-being and resilience during a time of unprecedented stress. Since March 2020 and the first national lockdown, the normal pace of life and the resulting stresses and pressures on everyone, but in particular for those working in the NHS and care services like ours, has been huge. 

Our teams have had to adapt and respond, often rapidly, to changing situations, both in our personal and professional lives. I am in complete awe at people’s ability to juggle work, home schooling and additional caring responsibilities at the minute! And in the midst of all of this, as key workers, you not only turn up to support people living across Green Light's homes but do so with passion and commitment that to be quite honest is humbling and makes me very proud to be part of the Green Light family. 

Understandably, the immediate health and safety concern has been to take all reasonable health and safety measures to protect people from Covid-19 infection by implementing stringent public health measures such as social distancing, workplace ‘bubbles’, appropriate use of PPE, regular testing procedures and processes for priority staff vaccination. 


However, I am also keenly aware of the impact the pandemic is having on people’s wellbeing and mental health. None of us has been unscathed by the ‘loss’ of so much during the last year. For me, it is key to recognise and reflect on this and remind myself that what is happening right now is NOT normal. As a mental health Counsellor, I really can’t stress enough just how important it is not to ignore or underplay the effect of the pandemic on our wellbeing. Be aware of the potential negative impact of what is going on right now on yourself, your family and friends and on your colleagues and work together to support your well-being during this stressful time. 

I know from talking to some colleagues recently that dealing with all of this; maintaining your own wellbeing and supporting others can feel daunting. It is daunting; but none of us are alone. There has never been a greater focus on wellbeing and supporting mental health than is available right now. 

The Local Government Association (LGA) and NHS England and Improvement have produced a comprehensive pack of wellbeing information and resources to help health and care managers support the wellbeing of staff who may be working under exceptional pressure to do their jobs while at the same time as dealing with their own personal situations and emotions. The pack can be found here, Guidance for managers during the Covid-19 pandemic. This guide will help managers to think about different ways to support the well-being of their social teams. A social care staff well-being guide can be found here.

While we have no end date for the pandemic, we do have hope in the form of the Covid-19 vaccine and we have been fortunate to have been prioritised for access to the vaccine so early after it became available. It has taken a leap of faith by many of us to get out and be some of the first in the queue to receive the vaccine; but I am proud of myself and all of my colleagues who have rolled up their sleeves to protect themselves and those around them from infection. 

Please know, as I do, that Green Light could not be more proud of the entire staff team for the professionalism and resilience everyone continues to demonstrate every day. 

And remember, there is no weakness in feeling the strain of the way the pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives; and there is no strength in maintaining a ‘stiff upper lip’ at times when you need to talk, share, vent or even cry. Reach out, to each other, to our mental health first aiders;, me and Michelle Brown and revisit the resources list shared below. 

As we witness the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, the wisdom of the 16th president has never been more true; “This too shall pass” - Abraham Lincoln


Heather Sanders
Group Quality Manager 


Wellbeing Resource List

The Happiness Trap - Dr. Russ Harris psychologist provides free resources, books and an online programme for people struggling with mental health, wellbeing, negative thought patterns, etc. 



ACT Tool Kit - Dr. Steven C. Hayes psychologist provides a number of free resources on acceptance and commitment training, mindfulness, etc. You can assess your psychological flexibility (AKA resilience) 

Every Mind Matters website - create a personalised ‘mind plan’ on this NHS site 


Green Light’s Dave Phillips provided a blog & tips for wellbeing earlier in the pandemic. 

Remploy - Remploy have supported thousands of employees across England, Scotland and Wales. Specialist emotional support for Health and Social Care staff is available at no charge for employees with symptoms of psychological distress such as depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues affecting work. 

Available: Monday to Friday 9.00am - 19.00pm & Saturday 9.00am - 13.00pm

Call 0300 4568114



Counselling Support from Association of Christian Counsellors

This free counselling service offers up to 10 online or telephone counselling sessions to people working in residential care homes who have been impacted by caring for anyone affected by covid-19. This has been developed and funded by the Association of Christian Counsellors as a confidential service and is open to people of all beliefs and none.

App’s to support resilience and well-being


Emotional support available to staff in Social Care providing access to:

Support lines

Mental health apps

Bespoke online platform

Text FRONTLINE to 85258 to start a conversation


‘Headspace’ is a science backed app in mindfulness and meditation providing tools and resources to help reduce stress, build resilience and aid better sleep.

Skills for Care Support Line for Registered Managers

Advice Line: 0113 2411260


Mental Health First Aid

Please also remember we have our own internal Mental Health First Aiders available via email, heather.sanders@glpbs.com and michelle.brown@glpbs.com offering confidential advice, support and signposting to appropriate support.

Peer Support 

Don’t forget that there is a huge amount of experience and support amongst us in Green Light’s workforce. Most problems someone else will have encountered previously, so there may well be an answer close to hand or someone who can point you in the right direction. Many of our managers have previously been support workers, often with people with complex or challenging needs, so may have valuable experience which they’d be pleased to share with you.

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