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What is Peer Support?

Peer Support is now available for all NHS and Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) staff across Greater Glasgow and Clyde as a way to support our colleagues. We know that when people feel supported and heard, this has a positive impact on their wellbeing and resilience. It can help to provide a space for someone to make sense of their recent experiences, which can give them a sense of control and help them feel capable of managing difficult situations. It is a supportive and flexible response, which acknowledges and understands that stress and experiencing struggles at times, is a normal part of life.

To find out more, download the What is Peer Support? Information Leaflet for Staff – NHSGGC

A Peer Support Framework

A Peer Support Framework for all health and social care staff working in the NHSGGC Board area was approved by the Board Strategic Executive Group. On the basis of the principles, conceptual framework, structure and governance arrangements outlined in the framework, the development of a Peer Support Network (PSN) was commissioned and developed by the Board Mental Health and Wellbeing Group with funding from NHS Charities Together.

Aims of the Peer Support Network
  1. To develop a Board-wide peer support service with clear pathways between the various levels of staff support interventions.
  2. To implement a model of peer support available to every member of health and social care staff.
  3. To embed within services dedicated peer support trainers to cascade knowledge and skills throughout services through establishing and supporting Wellbeing Champions in all teams.
  4. To ensure that recognition of the benefits of peer support is at the heart of all health and social care operations.

Peer Support in the Workplace: The National Wellbeing Hub

Watch these eight short videos below of NHSGGC’s Principal Health Psychologist in Occupational Health, Heather Connolly, discussing her experiences of implementing a Peer Support programme across NHSGGC and the HSCPs.

What does Peer Support look like?

Have a look at what a peer support conversation might look like:

Scenario 1: Yvonne opens up to Peer Supporter, Simon, about feeling overwhelmed by caring for her unwell mother-in-law while parenting her young children and working.
Scenario 2: John speaks to Peer Supporter, Liz, about how the end of his long term relationship with his partner has taken a negative toll of his mental wellbeing.

The Peer Support model contains a range of interventions and the intensity of the intervention determines the role and required level of training, beyond the foundation level for all staff to access.

The Models of Peer Support

Across NHSGGC and our HSCPs, our Peer Supporters have been trained via one of the following models, which form the conceptual basis and foundation of Peer Support:

1. The Psychological First Aid Model

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is concerned with reinforcing seven basic coping strategies by:

  • Caring for immediate needs
  • Protecting from risk
  • Comforting others
  • Supporting
  • Providing information on coping
  • Connecting others with social support
  • Educating about normal responses

Taking good care of yourself is at the centre of the PFA model.

To find out more about Psychological First Aid, watch Principal Health Psychologist, Heather Connolly’s ‘Let’s talk about… Psychological First Aid’ webinar:

2. The SAFER Model

Several Peer Supporters within medical have been trained via the SAFER model. This is a Peer Support tool used within Critical Incident Stress Management to help structure a 1:1 supportive episode with a peer. It is a specific model of PFA that helps direct the conversation with an individual in crisis or needing support.

SAFER stands for:

  • Stabilize (introduction; meet basic needs; mitigate acute stressors)
  • Acknowledge the crisis (event, reactions)
  • Facilitate understanding (normalization)
  • Encourage effective coping (mechanisms of action)
  • Recovery or Referral (facilitate access to continued care)

Citation: The SAFER-R Model, Psychological Crisis Intervention, George S. Everly, Jr., PhD, ABPP, CCISM, Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD, CCISM, 2017

It is important to note that neither models are counselling or therapy models nor substitutes for them but they are both designed to help support our peers. Whichever model you are trained through, you will be a fully trained Peer Supporter by the end of the session.

Peer Support: Levels of Support (1-3)

All three levels of support, knowledge and skills for Peer Support are built on the NHSGGC Staff Peer Support Competence Framework.

Level 1: Looking after Yourself and Others

This is a short online eLearning module and is available on digital platforms in health and social care and is designed to support all staff in Health and Social Care.

The module title is: Looking after Yourself and Others, which outlines:

  • Understand what a normal response to stress is
  • Understand the basic elements of Psychological First Aid
  • Wellbeing – Learn how to care for Ourselves
  • Peer Support – How to support our Colleagues

    Links to digital platforms are:
  • NHS staff available on NHSGGC LearnPro, search ‘GGC 277’
  • HSCP staff link to local authority online learning platform (module is called: Introduction to Psychological Wellbeing and Peer Support).

Live Sessions

Alternatively, you can view this content via live online or face-to-face 45-minute sessions, which have received excellent feedback. Upcoming MS Teams online sessions are listed below and are available for all NHSGGC and HSCP to book and attend:

  • Tuesday 17th February 2026 – 10am – 10.45am – Book here
  • Monday 23rd March 2026 – 12pm – 12.45pm – Book here
  • Wednesday 22nd April 2026 – 3pm – 3.45pm – Book here
  • Friday 15th May 2026 – 1pm – 1.45pm – Book here
  • Wednesday 17th June – 4pm – 4.45pm – Book here

Please bring the Looking after Yourself and Others Worksheet to this session as you will be completing it during the webinar.

Feedback from staff has been very positive:

  • “It was a fantastic course”
  • “I felt the coping strategies were very helpful to know.”
  • “The module has lots of helpful information laid out in an easy to follow style.”
  • “This is pitched so well for people who have little or no prior training in Mental Health”
Level 2: Peer Support – Becoming a Peer Supporter

This is available now and provides a full one-day in-person training session for colleagues to become a Peer Supporter. This has been designed by and is delivered by the NHSGGC Peer Support Service. Peer Supporters will have enough experience to meet the needs of their team/peers, and that the role is appropriate to their grading and level of seniority within a team.

It is essential that staff being considered for Peer Supporter roles are supported by their immediate line manager and the senior manager for their service to ensure they have allocated time to provide this support.

Become a Peer Supporter

Upcoming Peer Support training courses are promoted on Core Brief, StaffNet and email distribution lists. To join our email distribution list, contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk to ensure you receive upcoming training opportunities.

Upcoming Peer Support (Level 2) Training Dates

Training dates are now available for colleagues who wish to explore the role and requirements of a Peer Supporter and have the support of their line manager to implement peer support in their local team. This course is one full day face-to-face (9:30am-4:30pm).

Delegates should note the following prerequisites for completion before the training day:

  1. Delegates to complete the online module ‘Looking after Yourself and Others’ (NHSGGC staff). The module is packed with essential hints and tips on how to look after your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. It is available for staff directly employed by NHSGGC on Learnpro, module GCC 277 and for staff directly employed by the HSCPs social care staff, on their Local Authority learning platforms. or ‘Introduction to Psychological Wellbeing and Peer Support’ (Local Authority Staff)
  2. Delegates to discuss with their line manager aims for Peer Support and staff wellbeing in their team and / or service. Post course, delegates will be asked to agree with their line manager an action plan to implement local Peer Support and identify the time and resources to do this.
  3. It is important to consider your own wellbeing before thinking about supporting others. Please consider whether you are in the position to support your colleagues before you attend this training to become a Peer Supporter.

  • 09/03/2026 – Stobhill ACH Seminar Rooms 4&5, Book here
  • 25/03/2026 – Royal Alexandra Hospital, Classroom 3, Book here
  • 30/04/2026 – New Victoria 16A Conference Room (Level 2 Admin Corridor), Book here
  • 13/05/2026 – New Victoria 16A Conference Room (Level 2 Admin Corridor), Book here
  • 26/05/2026 – Gartnavel General Hospital, Lecture Theatre, Book here
  • 09/07/2026 – Vale of Leven Hospital Post Graduate Education Centre, Book here

Before you book, please also note the following:

  • Please only book yourself onto one training course (including only one waiting list). If you book yourself on to more than one, you will be removed from the attendance lists to ensure all colleagues have a fair and equal chance of attending this training.
  • Peer Support training is in extremely high demand with long waiting lists of colleagues wishing to become Peer Supporters. We kindly ask you to please cancel your space on this course if you can no long attend.
  • Your immediate line managers must approve your attendance on this training course. Please highlight to your manager that following your training, there is an ongoing expectation to dedicate approximately 1 hour a month to developing your skills as a Peer Supporter.
  • If line managers request more information on what Peer Support is and the evidence-based benefits on having a Peer Supporter in the team, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

The Peer Support Journey

See the Peer Support Journey for more information on how to become a Peer Supporter or if you are interested in having a Peer Supporter in your team:

Who are the Peer Supporters?

Various staff across NHSGGC and Health and Social Care Partnerships are currently being trained to become Peer Supporters. Each Peer Supporter has completed training and has the knowledge and skills needed to offer peer support to their team and colleagues. So far, we have almost 500 trained Peer Supporters across NHSGGC and the HSCPs and this figure is growing rapidly.

Meet some of our Peer Supporters:

Donald Macphail and Katherine Malloch

Katherine (right) is an Education Co-ordinator, Senior Charge Nurse in Adult Theatres at the QEUH and is available to provide Peer Support to colleagues who would like to talk openly about their feelings and worries in a welcoming, non-judgemental and confidential space.

Donald (left) is a Controlled Drug Inspector based at Clarkston Court Clinic Glasgow South. He is able to provide Peer Support in person or virtually in a safe, confidential, non-judgemental environment in which staff may wish to share experiences. His endeavour is to support, listen and provide space for staff to make sense of their experiences.

Lisa Conway

Lisa is a Lead Medical Administrator based at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and is available to provide Peer Support to members of staff who feel they need support. This is a supported non-judgmental conversation.

Keep an eye out for our Peer Supporters wearing identifiable lanyards and/or badges with the Peer Support logo.

Where are the Peer Supporters?

Each service may offer a different form of peer support to best meet the needs of their staff, area or department. You will be able to spot the peer supporters as they will be wearing their lanyards or badges.

In certain teams it would be desirable to have more than one Peer Supporter to ensure an appropriate mix of peer support available. At present, we have trained peer supporters in the following sites:

  • Glasgow Royal Infirmary
  • Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
  • West Glasgow ACH (Yorkhill Hospital)
  • Stobhill Hospital
  • Gartnavel (General and Royal) Hospital
  • Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
  • Royal Hospital for Children
  • Royal Alexandra Hospital
  • Kirkintilloch Health and Care Centre
  • Shettleston Health Centre
  • Renfrew Health and Social Work Centre
  • Pollokshaws Clinic
  • Pollok Health Centre
  • New Victoria Hospital
  • Mile End Mill
  • Lightburn Hospital
  • Leverndale Hospital
  • Inverclyde Royal Hospital
  • Greenock Health Centre
  • Govan Police Station
  • Esteem North
  • Eastwood Health and Care Centre
  • Eastbank Conference and Training Centre
  • Central Decontamination Unit
  • Aranthrue Centre (Renfrew)
  • And more….

We also have remote working Peer Supporters who can offer peer support while you work from home to best suit your needs.

Supporting information for Peer Supporter candidates:

Peer Support training feedback

  • “The training has changed the way I speak to patients and colleagues”
  • “I think the most important thing I realised was it is not a formal thing, it is about the way we communicate and actively listen”
  • “The session was well delivered and informative. Well done presenters”
  • “The trainers were fantastic. Totally enthusiastic and knowledgeable which they passed on with ease.”
  • “It was all relevant, thank you. Time well spent.”
  • “I am extremely satisfied with this training”

How to speak to a Peer Supporter

Find out who your team/ department Peer Supporter is and arrange a chat with them.

If you do not have a Peer Supporter in your team, do not know if you have one in your team or if you feel more comfortable speaking with a Peer Support outwith your team, please direct these requests peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and the Peer Support team will be able to help. If you yourself are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter then discuss with your manager and come along to one of our training days.

Is it confidential?

Yes, what you say will be confidential. However, if the Peer Supporter is worried about your or someone else’s safety they may seek support from other relevant service to best help you. This would be discussed with you first before any action is taken.

Level 3: Peer Support Hubs

As Peer Support continues to grow rapidly, the programme is shifting towards a hub-model. This is when the team deliver in-house training to staff from the same service/area to become Peer Supporters to support their colleagues locally and develop a critical mass of Peer Supporters across the service.

Hubs have a Hub Champion who coordinates Peer Support activity across the service and works with Peer Supporters to overcome implementation barriers.

There are several hubs across the organisation including:

  • The Specialist Children’s Services Hub
  • Critical Care (QEUH) Hub
  • The Spiritual Care (Chaplaincy) Hub
  • The LGBTQIA+ Peer Support Hub
  • Diagnostics and Imaging Hub

Several more hubs are currently in development.

If you would like to speak to a Peer Supporter within a particular hub, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and state the hub in the email’s subject line.

If you are interested in knowing more about hubs or are interested in setting up a Peer Support hub in your area, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Support for Managers of Peer Supporters

For managers who have Peer Supporters in their teams, please see the Manager Briefing Information Sheet.

Contact details

To speak to a Peer Supporter, for general enquires to find out more about Peer Support or if you are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter, please email; peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Royal Hospital for Children Colleagues

There is also a Peer Support Network of staff who work within critical care at The Royal Hospital for Children. More information can be found here: RHC Peer Support

For colleagues based at the Royal Hospital for Children interested in Peer Support, please direct all requests to: rhc.peersupport@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Peer Support is one part of the wide range of Staff Support and Wellbeing services available in NHSGGC. Click below for more information:

Peer Supporters do not provide a crisis service

If you need immediate support with your mental health please contact a trusted member of your community such as your GP, call NHS 24 on ‘111’, dial ‘999’ or go to A&E. To talk to someone you can call Samaritans on ‘116 123’ (available 24 hours) or Breathing Space on ‘0800 83 85 87’ (available 6.00pm Friday to 6.00am Monday and 6.00pm – 2.00am on weekdays Monday -Thursday).

Helpful Resources to Support your Wellbeing:

NHSGGC’s Staff Support and Wellbeing Services
Adult Mental Health Services
National Wellbeing Hub
NHS Inform
Practitioner Health

Confidential mental health service – Regulated NHS and Care Staff in Scotland

Free Apps
Staff Wellbeing Webinars

Let’s talk about… Staff Wellbeing Webinars (on SharePoint, which is an internal site for staff only).

The Let’s talk about… Staff Wellbeing webinar series offers short, information sessions to NHSGGC and HSCP staff with focus on various topics which we know are important to personal health and wellbeing. They are delivered in a format that allows colleagues to take away top tips and share with others. 

These sessions are delivered live on MS Teams at the end of each month. For members of staff who could not attend the live sessions or would like to rewatch any, they have been recorded and uploaded onto SharePoint. 

Peer Support Resources

All Peer Support resources can be ordered directly from the Public Health Resources Directory (PHRD). If you have not ordered from this site before, you will need to create an account. Search ‘Peer Support Resources’ to find our available resources.

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Course Overview

In this module you will examine some useful tools and methods that can help you understand the skills needed for good time management.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module you will be able to:

  • Organise and plan your time
  • Apply priorities to your tasks to manage your time effectively
  • Recognise ways of scheduling time, managing distractions and managing e mail
  • Use planning tools to maximise efficiency and productivity

Course Provider

  • This course can be accessed online via LearnPro

Who Should Attend

  • All staff are welcome to attend

Pre-requisites

  • There are no pre requisites for this module

Duration

  • Self-directed learning but should take approximately 45 minutes
  • C2 – Personal and People Development
  • C4 – Service Improvement
  • C5 – Quality
  • G5 – Services and Project Management
  • G6 – People Management

e-Learning

This is e-learning course and is available via LearnPro. You will find it under the CPD category. For information and registration please click the link LearnPro .

If you need any further support to access this course, please contact the Learning and Education Support Team on 0141 278 2700 (Option 3).

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Course Overview

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is committed to providing a positive security culture throughout the organisation and to ensure personal safety at all times of patients, residents, staff and visitors. We have produced this short e-module in line with changes in legislation and to help ensure we embed security principles within our workforce.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course delegates will be able to:

  • Understand the principles of the UK Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST)
  • Keep secure door codes confidential so that they are only known by those that require them for regular discharge of their duties
  • Observe all personal safety and security rules at all times as described in the NHSGGC Security and Threat Policy
  • Challenge those persons not wearing photographic identification badges unless to do so would place them at risk
  • Wear an up to date photographic identification badge at all time during work
  • Understand the process for reporting and recording Security incidents at a local level
  • Understand the vulnerability factors that can make individuals susceptible to radicalisation or a risk to others and can seek advice from if they have concerns about an individual who may be being groomed into terrorist activity
  • Ensure passwords and login details are kept secure at all times
  • Access the NHSGGC Security and Threat Policy for further information

Course Provider

  • This course can be accessed online via LearnPro

Who should attend

  • All NHSGGC employees are required to complete this course

Pre-requisites

  • No pre-requisites required

Duration

  • Self-directed learning but should take approximately 40 minutes
  • C1 – Communication
  • C3 – Health, Safety and Security
  • C4 – Service Improvement
  • C5 – Quality

e-Learning

  • Security and Threat training is delivered via LearnPro.
  • You will find it under the Statutory/Mandatory tab on your front page.

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Course Overview

This course will provide you with a basic knowledge of the Data Protection Act, 1998 and an understanding of your obligations to keep personal identifiable data confidential and secure.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course delegates will be able to identify:

  • Store, transport and transfer Board records and data (including health records, staff records and sensitive corporate information) securely and effectively
  • Understand the safe use of information and communication technology
  • Inform individuals about the use of their data
  • Understand the circumstances when consent should be sought prior to obtaining and using personal data
  • Verify recorded data using processes for positive patient identification
  • Record personal information accurately and consistently
  • Ensure that recorded information is relevant and not excessive
  • Use patient related data to support the delivery and management of healthcare
  • Understand the circumstances in which information may be used for healthcare support purposes such as clinical audit and service monitoring
  • Identify circumstances when personal data can, should and must be shared
  • Respond appropriately to requests for all recorded information held by the Board, demonstrating awareness of access to information legislation and local compliance requirements
  • Understand and apply rules for appropriate authorised access to personal and other sensitive data
  • Ensure that conversations in relation to sensitive or personal information, whether face to face or by telephone, take place in an appropriate area.

Course Provider

  • This course can be accessed online via LearnPro

Who should attend

  • All NHSGGC employees are required to complete this course

Pre-requisites

  • None

Duration

  • Self-directed learning but should take approximately 40 minutes
  • G1 – Learning and Development
  • C2 – Personal and People Development
  • IK3 – Knowledge and Information Resources

e-Learning

  • Safe Information Handling – Foundation training is delivered via LearnPro.
  • You will find it under the Statutory/Mandatory tab on your front page.

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Course Overview

This e-module is designed for people who may be involved in the response to an emergency. This includes people from Category 1 responder organisations, third sector organisations, and staff in health and social care services.

There are three sections in the module. The goal is to understand when and how to provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course you will be able to:

  • Define Psychological First Aid
  • Describe the 7 key components of effective Psychological First Aid
  • Feel reasonably confident in delivering Psychological First Aid
  • Adapt Psychological First Aid to different settings and populations
  • Identify ways to take care of yourself while providing Psychological First Aid

Course Provider

  • National Education for Scotland (NES)

Who Should Attend

  • People who may be involved in the response to an emergency. This includes people from Category 1 responder organisations, third sector organisations, and staff in health and social care services.

Duration

  • Approximately 1 hour
  • C3 – Health, Safety and Security

There is no classroom option for this topic.

e-Learning

An e-learning module is available for this topic via Turas Learn.

If you already use the Turas platform to access other Turas applications such as Turas Appraisal, Turas Professional Portfolio or Turas People you simply add Turas Learn to your Dashboard using the ‘Add Applications’ link on the homepage.

You can then use the search function to find and add specific learning resources and eLearning modules.

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Course overview

To successfully manage a project an understanding of project management methodology is required. This course will show how to use a combination of processes to manage time, cost, quality, change, risks and issues in order to manage a project effectively.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course delegates will be able to:

  • Explain what a project is
  • Explain what project management is and methodologies you can employ
  • Develop a business case and initiate a project
  • Decide on the best techniques for planning your project
  • Identify methods for executing a project
  • Describe how to close off a project and review the project completion

Course provider

  • Learning and Education Team

Who should attend

  • All staff are welcome to attend who have a leading role running a project

Pre-requisites

  • There are no pre requisites for this module

Duration

  • Guided learning time 45 minutes
  • C1 – Communication
  • C2 – Personal and People Development
  • C4 – Service Improvement
  • C5 – Quality
  • G5 – Services and Project Management
  • G6 – People Management

e-Learning

  • An e-Learning option is available for this topic via LearnPro. You will find it under the CPD category. Information and registration for LearnPro.

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Course overview

It is important for members of staff to be able to prepare and deliver good quality presentations.  Developing these skills is essential to improve both your confidence and your effectiveness as a presenter.   This module will examine these skills and enable you to prepare for and understand how to deliver presentations effectively.   

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module delegates should be able to: 

  • Recognise the importance of being fully prepared 
  • Explain the importance of identifying and understanding your audience 
  • Identify how to prepare your material 
  • Describe the tools and techniques to help you to deliver a presentation effectively 
  • Explain how you would overcome any issues that arise 

Course provider

  • Learning and Education Team 

Who should attend

  • Any staff who wish to develop skills in creating and delivering presentations. 

Pre-requisites

  • There are no pre requisites for this module 

Duration

  • Guided learning time 45 minutes 
  • C1 – Communication 
  • C2 – Personal and People Development 
  • G1 – Learning and Development 

e-Learning

  • An e-Learning option is available for this topic via LearnPro. You will find it under the CPD category. Information and registration for LearnPro

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Please note we no longer offer this course. See Planning a Positive Retirement Course- Planning a Positive Retirement – NHSGGC

Course overview

This course is designed to inform staff who are considering and/ or approaching retirement. The sessions include information relating to the NHS (SPPA) pension you should consider prior to making retirement income and lump sum choices.

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) is an Agency of the Scottish Government. Its principal role is to administer the pensions for employees of the National Health Service in Scotland.

The pre-retirement financial awareness event has been designed to equip you with information and tools prior to submitting your forms to SPPA via your line manager and payroll. During the course we will discuss wider retirement related topics with a focus on financial issues. The workshop provides the opportunity to seek free independent financial advise from Poise Financial Planning Ltd (no obligation consultation on request)*

*Disclaimer: Poise Financial Planning Ltd are responsible for financial advice not your employer, in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority’s regulations.

Your employer cannot recommend Poise Financial Planning Ltd but we can confirm they are registered with and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to give independent financial advice.

Learning outcomes

The aim of this event is to provide you with the knowledge you require to make informed decisions about your retirement finances. This course will raise your awareness of and give you the tools to address key issues you need to consider in the lead up to and beyond retirement. The following areas will be covered:

  • When should you submit paperwork to SPPA
  • An outline of the SPPA 1995 and if necessary 2008 and 2015 schemes
  • How the SPPA pension works in relation to your retirement age, ill health retirement, voluntary early retirement, mental health office status and special classes
  • Protecting your money from inflation and poor decisions
  • How to maximise your income during retirement and budget planning
  • Financial planning for the rest of your life as well as your family and or beneficiaries
  • Dealing with long term care costs and inheritance tax
  • Calculating your SPPA pension and tax free lump sum benefits
  • Information relation to the State Pension
  • Raising your awareness of information resources and planning tools
  • Strategies for minimising all forms of taxation
  • Raising your awareness of income tax and your pension income or returning to work post-retirement

Course provider

  • NHS Staff Benefits in association with Poise Financial Planning Ltd

Who should attend

  • Anyone, regardless of grade considering retirement within the next 3 years

Pre-requisites

  • There are no pre requisites for this course

Duration

  • 1.5 hours
  • C 2 – Personal and People Development

To book a place on the course, please use the  eESS Login (scot.nhs.uk) Learner self-service facility. From the Learner Home page, enter the course name in the box at the top of the page to see all available dates. You can also use keywords to search for courses. Remember to have your eESS user ID and password available to access the system.

Course dates

You will receive detailed joining instructions on how to access the on-line session. Please be ready to log-in at least 5 minutes before the start time.

Please note, booking for each session will close 1 week before the course date to allow time for joining instructions to be sent to delegates.

Guidance on how to search for Learning and Development on eESS OLM can be found in the link below:

Full access to all Standard Operating Procedures and e-learning videos is available via eESS Login (scot.nhs.uk).

If you need any information on specific course content or booking process, please contact Learning and Education Support Team on 0141 278 2700 (Option 3).

e-Learning

  • An e-Learning option is not available for this topic via LearnPro

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Course overview

The course is now available as a 2.5 hour on-line presentation and will provide additional support to those who are considering retirement within the next 10 years.

You will also be provided with an opportunity to seek free independent financial advice (no obligation, consultation on request).*

*Disclaimer: Affinity Connect in association with Affinity Financial Awareness (AFA), Independent Financial Advisory organisation are responsible for financial advice not your employer, in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority’s regulations. Your employer can not recommend Affinity Financial Awareness (AFA), Independent Financial Advisory organisation but we can confirm they are registered with and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to give independent financial advice.

Learning outcomes

Course objectives and structure

Course workbook

The workbook provides supporting material to that which is presented on the course and may give you some helpful pointers to start with.

The workbook is updated annually, please use the following sign-in credentials:

  • Username: affinityconnect
  • Password: financialeducation

Course provider

Affinity Connect in association with Affinity Financial Awareness (AFA), Independent Financial Advisory organisation

Who should attend

This course is aimed to help those within 10 years of exercising pension options to achieve their retirement goals and will help you plan for the lifestyle changes ahead.

Pre-requisites

This course will educate and empower you to take control of your retirement by:
  • Exploring the lifestyle changes within retirement
  • An Overview of the NHS Pension Scheme
  • Understand the income options available from your pension and make the most of your tax-free cash.
  • Maximise the benefits of your State Pension
  • Estate planning
  • There is a range of post-course support available to help guide people through their options and have confidence in the choices they make.

Duration

  • 2.5 hours

C 2 – Personal and People Development

To book a place on the course, please use the eESS Learner self-service facility. From the Learner Home page, enter the course name in the box at the top of the page to see all available dates. You can also use keywords to search for courses. Remember to have your eESS user ID and password available to access the system.

Course Dates

  • 14th May 2026, 9.30 am – 12.00 noon (MS Teams)
  • 22nd June 2026, 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm (MS Teams)
  • 9th July 2026, 9.30 am – 12.00 noon (MS Teams)
  • 20th August 2026, 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm (MS Teams)
  • 11th September 2026, 9.30 am – 12.00 noon (MS Teams)
  • 20th October 2026, 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm (MS Teams)
  • 16th November 2026, 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm (MS Teams)
  • 14th December 2026, 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm (MS Teams)

You will receive detailed joining instructions on how to access the on-line session. Please be ready to log-in at least 5 minutes before the start time.

Please note; booking for each session will close 1 week before the course date to allow time for joining instructions to be sent to delegates.

Guidance on how to search for Learning and Development on eESS OLM can be found here.

Full access to all Standard Operating Procedures and e-learning videos is available via eESS.

If you need any information on specific course content, the venue or booking process, please do not hesitate to contact Learning and Education Support Team on 0141 278 2700 (Option 3).

e-Learning

  • An e-Learning option is not available for this topic via LearnPro 

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