To every therapist who joined the NEST network — thank you. Your expertise, commitment, and compassion have helped shape a pioneering service for emergency responders across the UK.
Launched in partnership with The Royal Foundation and led by Police Care UK, the National Emergency Services Therapist (NEST) network set out to solve a long-standing problem: emergency responders struggling to access therapy that truly understands their world.
Thanks to you, we’ve made meaningful progress.
Why NEST was needed
Research from the University of Cambridge and feedback from Police Care UK beneficiaries revealed a clear issue: therapy wasn’t working as well as it could for emergency responders. A lack of sector-specific understanding was impairing engagement and outcomes.
Your involvement in NEST helped change that narrative.
“I didn’t feel I connected very well with the therapist.”
Serving Police Officer, Metropolitan
Building the network
From July 2022 to June 2025, the pilot unfolded in four phases — from scoping and recruitment to testing and evaluation. Over 200 therapists applied to join, and your feedback helped refine the recruitment process, improve communication, and shape the therapist profile.
Survey results from March 2025 showed:
- 8/10 overall satisfaction with the recruitment experience
- Therapists joined to expand trauma expertise and support frontline workers
- A desire for clearer guidance and reduced paperwork was noted — and is being addressed
“Joining this network reflects my dedication to delivering accessible, high-quality mental health care. It’s been a rewarding experience.”
(NEST Therapist)
Therapy in action
Between November 2024 and June 2025, 193 searches were carried out to match Police Care UK beneficiaries with NEST therapists.
- 92% resulted in positive matches
- Most beneficiaries required Trauma-Focused Therapy, with high demand for dual-trained therapists in TF-CBT and EMDR
Your work made a real difference — even when capacity or location limited matches, the feedback was clear: therapists on the network were trusted, knowledgeable, and impactful.
Therapy outcomes: Small sample, big impact
Only 33 beneficiaries had completed their therapy journey during the pilot, but the results were overwhelmingly positive:
- 100% rated the assessment process as very good or excellent
- 92% rated their therapy sessions as excellent
- 73% had subclinical PHQ scores post-therapy, with an average decrease of 7.5
- 65% had subclinical GAD scores, with an average decrease of 6.42
- 92% saw improvement in ITQ scores, with an average reduction of 12.11
- 100% said life was better due to the service; 83% said life was a lot better
- 100% would recommend the service to others
“The therapy I had was life changing. She understood emergency services and PTSD. I felt seen and heard for the first time in years.”
(Spouse of Veteran Police Officer, Metropolitan Police)
“Talking through my issues with Gill was invaluable. As an ex-serviceman, I felt she understood where I was coming from.”
(Veteran Police Officer, Gloucestershire)
CPD & Professional Development
We know CPD delivery during the pilot didn’t meet expectations. Only one webinar was held, and the quarterly newsletter has been reduced due to capacity. However, a partnership with Bespoke Mental Health now offers discounted CPD to NEST affiliates.
Looking Ahead
Your contribution has laid the foundation for a sustainable, trauma-informed service. The pilot showed that:
- Emergency responders trust therapists with sector-specific knowledge
- Therapy outcomes are promising, even with a small sample
- There’s strong demand for dual-trained trauma specialists
Recruitment will continue in line with demand, and improvements to onboarding, CPD, and therapist support are underway.
Thank You
Whether you delivered therapy, gave feedback, or helped shape the network — your role in NEST has mattered. You’ve helped emergency responders feel heard, supported, and empowered to heal.
We’re proud of what we’ve built together. And we’re excited for what comes next.
