What is HUGS@Home?

What is this study about?

First responders experience stress as part of their work and often prefer to seek support from colleagues, family, or close friends. This project is about understanding family members, close friends, and their first responders’ experiences of stressful incidents and how we can best support each other during difficult times. On our training day, family members and friends will discuss, learn and practice practical skills in engaging in supportive conversations, identifying signs of stress, and prioritising self-care using Psychological First Aid (PFA) techniques.

There are four phases of HUGS@Home:

 

Co-Design

Co-Design

First responders, family members, and organisational representatives sit together and discuss how we can support our community through the HUGS@Home project.

Educate

Educate

Family members and close friends learn and practice HUGS: Hearing, Understanding, Guiding, and Supporting techniques. 

We aim to prepare participants to:
1. Recognise the signs and symptoms of stress reactions.
2. Apply Psychological First Aid to manage a stress response.
3. Engage, support and empower their first responders and themselves.

Support

Support

HUGS@Home collaborates with organisations offering support and resources specific to your preferences and needs.

Evaluate

Evaluate

HUGS@Home is continuously improved through listening to the experiences of family members, friends, and first responders learning experiences with us through questionnaires, one-to-one and group discussions.