https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8258309/Duchess-Cambridge-moved-tears-stories-frontline-staff.htmlKate Middleton was 'moved to tears' by stories from frontline staff before launching new mental health support service for keyworkers with Prince William last week, a source reveals
William and Kate's Royal Foundation backs a new initiative called 'Our Frontline'
A source revealed Kate was 'moved to tears' by stories, leading them to launch it
The support network will support key workers who are battling coronavirus
Charities Mind, Samaritans, Shout and Hospice UK are all behind the scheme
The website is:
www.ourfrontline.org or @OurFrontlineUK on social media
Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
By Emily Webber and James Robinson for MailOnline
Published: 12:46, 26 April 2020 | Updated: 12:56, 26 April 2020
The Duchess of Cambridge was 'moved to tears' by the sacrifices of frontline workers, leading the royal couple to launch their mental health support service 'Our Frontline' last week. Kate Middleton, 38, has played a 'pivotal' role in setting up the new initiative, 'Our Frontline', alongside William, 37, which will see charities and organisations provide around-the-clock support to everyone from NHS staff to bus drivers. And new reports say the duchess has been 'moved to tears' by the stories on the frontline and is 'particularly keen' for families and children of key workers to access the resources as well. 'They have both been incredibly affected by stories they have heard and Kate, in particular, has been moved to tears by some of the stories she has heard about the sacrifices frontline workers are making,' a source told The Sun.
The Duke of Cambridge led talks with the organisations but Kate was a driving force behind the initiate through her involvement with the planning and coordination of the service. And the couple said supporting frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic will be their 'top priority' in the months ahead and are 'deeply committed' to ensuring support is in place. The source revealed how William has experienced 'first-hand' the effect working on the frontline can have following his work as an air ambulance pilot in the past. The Duke of Cambridge said: 'Over the past few weeks, millions of frontline workers across the UK have put their physical and mental health on the line to protect us all during the coronavirus pandemic.'
'Every day, they confront traumatic situations at the same time as having to contend with their own worries about the risks to themselves and their families. That takes a real toll, and as I've seen for myself through my work with the air ambulance, without the right support at the right time, the challenges they face will only be greater. Catherine and I, together with the Royal Foundation, will do all we can to support Our Frontline. This work will be our top priority for the months ahead.'
The project will be a combination of one-to-one support and online resources for any NHS workers, carers, emergency services personnel, and key workers whose psychological wellbeing comes under pressure. Charities Mind, Samaritans, and Hospice UK will all be involved in the initiative, as will Shout a text messaging helpline supporting people in crisis. William and Kate's charitable organisation will help raise awareness about the new resource. Frontline staff and key workers can call or text a trained volunteer and access specially developed online resources, tool kits and advice to support their mental health. The duke, whose grandmother the Queen turned 94 last week, has experience of being in the same environment as doctors, nurses, and other health workers as he was a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance. He has spoken in the past about the mental pressures that came with the job. In a 2018 interview, William said the experience of attending several traumatic emergencies involving children and having his own children 'tipped me over the edge', but speaking to his crew helped him cope with the 'enormous sadness' that he had witnessed. The duke chaired a roundtable call with representatives from the emergency services sector and the NHS to learn more about the mental health challenges key workers face and how Our Frontline can support them. Those on the call will include NHS England and NHS Improvement, Faculty of Pre Hospital Care Royal College of Surgeons, Mind, Lifelines Scotland, Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, National Police Chiefs' Council, the Fire Fighters Charity, Police Care UK, and the Ambulance Staff Charity. Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: 'Every day, those working in health and social care, 999 services and other vital roles staff working in supermarkets, pharmacies, transport, catering and cleaning to name a few face huge challenges to their physical and mental health. That's why it's so important they can easily access information and contact trained advisers to help promote good mental health, any time of day or night.'
Frontline staff and other key workers can see more information at
www.ourfrontline.org or visit @OurFrontlineUK on social media.
