The Group’s drive to increase the number of accredited mental health first aiders (MHFA) from 40 to over 250 by the summer has been accelerated to proactively manage wellbeing in the workplace.
This initiative complements a raft of other schemes that include an employee assistance programme for counselling and emotional support, as well as a mental wellbeing app and assessment tool, activity and mindfulness resources, discounts on gym memberships, exercise equipment, online fitness, and other financial offers to help balance the physical, financial and mental aspects of wellbeing.
Richard Byrne, Group HSE & Fleet Director for Travis Perkins plc, explained: "During COVID, our mental health and wellbeing have been put to the test like never before, but as an industry leader with a proud history of upholding family values, our strong people focus has served us well.
"It has underpinned our pandemic response and helped us work collectively to resolve the many challenges this past year has posed for our 20,000+ colleagues in balancing their home and work lives.
“Our MHFAs play a key role as ambassadors across all areas of wellbeing; to be the first port of call in the workplace for mental health support for colleagues, raise awareness and encourage positive behaviours amongst our workforce on a voluntary basis, and to identify signs of poor mental health and help individuals access professional support if they need it.
"But we are very clear that they are not there to diagnose or provide ongoing support or counselling.”
The MHFAs at Travis Perkins all follow the guidelines of MHFA England, and in recognition of the rewarding, but also challenging nature of these roles, the company has also put in place a range of support mechanisms to safeguard the MHFAs themselves, so they protect their own health and wellbeing.
