The van bringing support and coffee to care staff

Care home director Inthu Rajah said staff tend to "put themselves on the back burner"

A coffee van is being used to bring support and hot drinks to care home staff in Gloucestershire.

The NHS Wellbeing Line is running the 'Hug in a Mug' initiative, which offers a "supportive, non-judgemental" space to anyone working in health and social care in the county.

The Integrated Care Board funds the service, which was first launched in Dorset.

"If people want to get in touch with us, it would be great to go and visit them," said Sabina Yakub, from the NHS Wellbeing Line.

The Hug in a Mug van, kitted out with a coffee machine and oven, has been touring the county.

Ellie Marsh, an assistant psychologist from the NHS trust, said the purpose of the programme is to "unlock conversations about mental health and well-being" among health and social care staff as well as serve them drinks and food.

"We recognise there is a cost to caring and we want to help people access the right support for them if they are struggling," she said.

The initiative also offers support to people in leadership roles.

Hug in a Mug is a free service, funded by Gloucestershire's Integrated Care Board

Ms Yakub said they want to let care staff in Gloucestershire know Hug in a Mug is there to support them.

"It's great to be supporting the staff for the hard work they do, say thank you to them and raise awareness of our service as well," she said.

Staff at Avalon Residential Home in Gloucester have been speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire about the project.

Inthu Rajah, director of the home, said the work of The Wellbeing Line was "really important".

"I think they're doing a brilliant job and it's really important for the staff to feel that they can go some place to have a chat," Ms Rajah said.

"It can be very stressful at times but the staff are doing really great, they manage it really well.

"Because you are looking after people all day, you tend to put yourself on the back burner."

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