mental health

Two new mental health support services open in Chesterfield

A charity has partnered with the NHS to open two new crisis support services in Chesterfield, providing support for those with mental health concerns.

The first of the two services to open is the crisis house in Chesterfield, which opened on 18 September, and the safe haven in Chesterfield which will open its doors on 26 October, both run by charity – P3.

The new crisis house will provide 24/7 residential support for those referred by NHS mental health professionals at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, while the safe haven will offer out-of-hours support on a self-referral basis every day of the week between 4.30pm to 12am for anyone who is struggling and needs a friendly face to talk to, including during the festive period.

P3, the social inclusion charity, work with people to change their lives for the better, providing a variety of services all across the UK, that aim to give everyone the chance to be part of the community they live in and feel connected.

The crisis house, safe haven and urgent crisis drop in service are part of a wider programme of partnership activity led by NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Joined Up Care Derbyshire which aims to improve outcomes for people and reduce the need for people to attend hospital Emergency Departments when they are experiencing immediate mental health needs.

Other elements of the programme that are already established include the 24/7 Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service, the crisis house and safe haven in Derby as well as the mental health street triage service across Derbyshire.

Jenny Appleby, Head of Adult Mental Health Commissioning at NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a fantastic new addition to our local offer for people with immediate mental health needs.

“We are so pleased that this is up and running and it really responds to what local people have told us they need. It is the result of collaboration between community and voluntary sector and statutory organisations, working together with local people.”

Fiona White, Area Service Manager at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that these local services are open to the people of North Derbyshire. These services will be a great addition to our crisis and helpline services.”

Ann-Marie Humphries, Operations Manager at P3 Derbyshire, is pleased to announce the launch of these new services. Ann-Marie said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to support people living in Derbyshire to access the right support for their mental health at the right time.

“We have seen the success of the Safe Haven in Derby and hope the Chesterfield service achieves the same positive outcomes, benefitting people in the area.”

If you or a loved one are experiencing distress or anxiety, or feeling that you cannot cope, please contact Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service on 0800 028 0077 for support over the phone.

For more information on the crisis support drop-ins as well as job opportunities for the service please visit the Derbyshire Mind website.

mental health support centre chesterfield

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University of Derby collaborates with Chesterfield charity to deliver mental health training

A series of bitesize training sessions on supporting positive mental health and well-being in the workplace are set to be held for organisations in Chesterfield.

Kate Wood, Project Manager of the Mental Health & Productivity Pilot at the University of Derby, has joined Derbyshire Voluntary Action this month to deliver the sessions.

Hosted by the Community Chesterfield Project, Kate delivers a series of online, 45-minute ‘Training & Tea’ sessions that explore how organisations can create an environment that encourages positive mental health, enables supportive conversations, and helps prevent people from experiencing mental ill health and to better manage mental health challenges.

Kate said: “Smart employers know that organisations are only as strong as their people – they depend on having a healthy and productive workforce…and good mental health underpins this.

“By positively managing and supporting employees’ mental well-being, employers can ensure that staff perform to their potential – and this allows the business to achieve its peak performance.”

Alongside delivering training, Kate’s work covers some exciting projects at the University of Derby. She currently leads the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP) which aims to reduce absence, presenteeism, and stigma associated with mental health in the workplace.

Working closely with a range of businesses and organisations, Kate supports them in rolling out key mental health initiatives, breaking down barriers to accessing support, and helping individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues, to remain in employment.

The University of Derby and Kate’s team are launching an exciting new initiative on 26th April 2023 called ‘The Work Health Hub’- a new online membership platform, dedicated to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

The hub pulls all the latest research, resources, tools, and experts together in one place, to ensure positive mental health and well-being is the golden thread that runs through your organisation.

Kate’s series will continue over the next month and is followed by further sessions supported by the University of Derby the DVA team, and other guests covering how to make your organisation more successful, digital marketing, leadership, personal & professional development, and many more.

The University of Derby and Derbyshire Voluntary Action support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Tea and training

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Workshops launched to help Chesterfield residents with mental wellbeing and work/life balance

Community Chesterfield is launching a series of workshops for people in the town, with ‘Calm In A Box’ aimed at tackling mental well-being and the work/life balance.

Starting on the 18th of January and running through until the 1st of March, Community Chesterfield has teamed up with Calm In A Box to offer a series of free online training sessions to staff and volunteers of community groups and charities, as well as staff and students at the University of Derby.

Led by Calm In A Box founder Sarah Markham, the framework aims to help those taking part to find a better balance in their life, and see the rewards making these changes can bring. Training & Tea is Community Chesterfield’s signature bitesize online training that presents successful and accessible workshops covering a variety of topics.

Sarah, who is Founder and CEO at Calm in a Box commented: “Calm in a Box brings together my personal interest in well-being with my professional experience and aims to promote a calmer lifestyle at home and at work at a time when we are often overwhelmed with busyness, stress, and anxiety which can lead to both mental and physical health issues.”

Each session includes key themes, research, insight, and storytelling. The workshops will enable participants to learn ways to shift their mindset and encourage positive behaviour to make the changes they need.

Daniel Jones, Marketing and Communications Officer at Community Chesterfield said: “It’s been a tough few years for a lot of people, and we wanted to encourage a positive start to this one, a fresh outlook, and to help support our communities in making 2023 one to look forward to, and we hope this series of Training & Tea will help achieve that.”

Free places are available as part of the National Lottery Community Fund, and Community Chesterfield’s partnership with the University of Derby to those qualifying (see their website for details). Tickets are open to businesses and individuals at a cost of £20 per session.

Community Chesterfield supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

team-comunity-chesterfield

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‘Wellness Wednesday’ initiative launched by Great2

A Chesterfield business which provides quality co-working spaces for budding entrepreneurs, alongside a plethora of advice and support has launched a new initiative to focus on the wellbeing of its members.

Great2 is now hosting ‘Wellness Wednesday’ events, providing the Great2 network with weekly yoga sessions, hosted by Chesterfield’s Holy Cow Yoga.

Great2Work member Becka Tung commented: “The yoga class that Great2 offers not only helps me clear my mind and gives me a mid-week boost, it also gives me an incentive to come in to the office and see everyone! It is a lovely team building activity and I’ve become a lot closer to colleagues who I ordinarily wouldn’t interact with that much. It’s a lovely perk, thanks Great2!”

The launch follows the success of Trough Tuesdays, which provide members with opportunities to socialise and network in an informal setting, while enjoying a spot of lunch.

Speaking on the launch of Wellness Wednesday, Lynne Pope, Social Media and Content Specialist at Great2 said: “At Great2 we believe that an individual’s wellbeing is essential to a company’s wellbeing. The last 2 years have been tough on everyone so now, more than ever, we need to ensure we care for the wellbeing of our employees and Great2Work coworking members.

“Our coworking space in Chesterfield is not just an office, it is a place where we want entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow and thrive. Our members need balance between working hard and looking after themselves, which is often difficult to achieve. This is why we put on our Wellness Wednesday events and also provide fresh fruit in the coworking office every day.”

Businesses wishing to attend can register for membership by emailing enquiries@great2.co.uk. Flexible membership packages are available to suit various needs.

Great2 supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Weekly mental health café launched in Chesterfield town centre

A mental health support café has launched in Chesterfield to to help provide local people with wellbeing advice.

The weekly event takes place at Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s recently-opened venue, The Hub @ Low Pavement. Sessions take place each Wednesday from 10:30am -12:30pm.

It is hosted in partnership between DVA and the Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service, who are able to provide advice, guidance, and support on all aspects of people’s mental health.

Sessions are free to access, no referral is needed, and the café is open to anyone. The new initiative is facilitated by a mental health recovery worker, other healthcare professionals, and volunteers with lived experience of mental health concerns.

Derbyshire Recovery and Peer Support Service supports people who are having difficulties with their mental health across the whole spectrum of mental illnesses. The organisation offers targeted goal-focused support, developing peer support and volunteer opportunities across Derbyshire, and also peer support groups where there is a need.

It also aims to reconnect people with their local community by offering access to targeted one-to-one staff support, telephone support and community groups, and is open to anyone over the age of 18 living in Derbyshire who is experiencing mental ill health.

The Hub @ Low Pavement is a space dedicated to bringing together local community and voluntary organisations. Based at 61-63 Low Pavement in Chesterfield town centre, the Hub opened in September 2021.

It is an inclusive, welcoming and friendly place for members of the public and for volunteer-led community groups.  The Hub aims to promote better social connectedness, and improved mental health and wellbeing.

Members of the public can use the hub to:

  • Find out information about the voluntary and community sector in the local area
  • Meet and talk with others
  • Take part in organised activities
  • Learn new skills which will help them feel more connected

Derbyshire Voluntary Action supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

The Hub @ Low Pavement

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NHS recruitment event to take place in Chesterfield in the new year

A recruitment event is set to take place in the new year, showcasing the opportunities available within the NHS across Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Healthcare is a specialist provider of children’s, learning disability, substance misuse and mental health services – across community, inpatient and other settings. The Trust is actively looking to recruit Band 5 and 6 registered mental health and learning disability nurses, as well as occupational therapists.

To assist with this a series of recruitment events around the county are being planned, with the first one taking place from 10.00am-3.00pm on 15 January in Chesterfield at the Technique Stadium. There will be staff available to chat to about working for the Trust and the opportunities that are available. To make the recruitment process more effective and efficient, applications will be handled on the day, with interviews and conditional offers being made at the same time.

The Trust employs more than 2,800 staff providing services from several community and inpatient settings across the whole of Derbyshire. Across the county and the city, it serves a combined population of approximately one million people.  The Trust is looking for enthusiastic, talented and compassionate qualified staff to provide quality children’s, mental health, learning disability and substance misuse services to the people of Derbyshire.

The Trust is positive about making a difference to the people who use its services and we can offer a great career. It is also growing – with lots of local investment in services and new services being developed, offering lots of opportunities to colleagues.  There are also some innovative progression schemes, such as a Band 5 to Band 6 progression scheme for inpatient nurses.

The first in a series of recruitment events will take place on Saturday 15 January at the Technique Stadium in Chesterfield, focusing on opportunities in our acute and community mental health teams for nursing and occupational therapy colleagues.

If you are interest in attending the event, which will run from 10.00am – 3.00pm, you can register your interest by contacting the team at: DCHST.peopleresourceteam@nhs.net

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Chesterfield’s UK Asbestos Training Association ‘highly commended’ for mental health leadership

Chesterfield-based UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has been ‘highly commended’ in the ‘Senior Leadership Engagement Award’ category at The Impact Awards, hosted by mental health charity Mates In Mind.

These Awards are open to Senior Leadership from SMEs, Large size organisations and Projects who have shown inspirational leadership that has made a meaningful impact on the understanding and support for mental health amongst its workforce, as well as across their industry more broadly.

The commendation recognised the efforts of Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans, and Senior Operations Manager, Debbie Nixon in a virtual ceremony on 27th May 2021.

“Being shortlisted for the Senior Leadership Engagement Award demonstrates the tightknit relationship between Debbie and myself. Working alongside one another for almost 10 years, has strengthened our partnership and undeniable rapport. It’s an honour to be recognised with my longest serving employee ” said Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans.

Mates in Mind is a registered UK charity raising awareness, addressing the stigma of poor mental health and promoting positive mental wellbeing across workplaces, helping to make sense of available options and support employers to address mental health within their workplace.

Each year Mates in Mind hold Impact Awards to celebrate their Supporters contributions to improving mental health within their workplaces and across the wider sector. The awards are an opportunity to highlight the impact of both large and SME organisations across the UK, as well as acknowledging individuals who have championed the development of mentally healthy workforces.

Established in 2008, UKATA is a highly respected, leading authority on asbestos training. The company’s passion is to both maintain and improve asbestos training, ensuring the highest standards are upheld by means of continually monitoring UKATA training provided by its members.

UKATA supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Derbyshire Institute of Sport continues support of mental health in the workplace

A Derbyshire Institute of Sport project to put health and wellbeing at the heart of its support for the business community has proved a winner, with more than 100 people joining a mental health webinar about the importance of switching off from work and de-stressing.

The webinar, by DIS sports psychology lead Dr Phil Clarke, was the latest in a series of monthly, 30-minute ‘lunch and learn’ webinars available exclusively to businesses who sponsor the Community Interest Company.

Managing director Chloe Maudsley explained: “During the first lockdown of 2020, we wanted to explore how we could use the skills, knowledge and experience of our team to help the businesses whose support makes our work possible.

“When we were founded in 2012, our original goal was to increase the number of Derbyshire-based, world-class athletes. Our target of developing 20 such champions by 2020 was achieved in February last year, just before lockdown. We knew there was great potential to use the skills of our psychology, nutrition and strength and fitness coaches to work with businesses too.

“As the pandemic continued it was clear that the uncertainty, anxiety and anguish caused by the pandemic and life in lockdown was wreaking havoc on the mental health of many people. We knew we had to help.”

The result was the Thrive sponsorship programme, which has health and wellbeing benefits at the heart of its offer. There are three different Thrive Sponsorship packages so there’s something to suit businesses of all sizes. As well as the webinars, other benefits include nutrition consultations, online exercise classes, monthly wellbeing check-ins and online physiotherapy screenings.

Since March 2020, the DIS team members have also shared their knowledge publicly through blog posts on its website and videos on YouTube.

Chloe said: “Looking after your mental health, and supporting others to look after theirs, is more important than ever. Our mental and physical health are closely connected. A 2014 report by Public Health England, called Everybody Active, Every Day, found that people who are inactive have three times the rate of moderate to severe depression of active people.”

Mark Jones, MD of IT and telecoms company Wytech Limited, who are a DIS sponsor, said: “Helping our employees to be healthy and happy is the right thing to do, but I also believe that investing in workplace wellbeing improves business performance. Helping our employees to lead healthy, active lives gives them the assurance that they are valued and part of a team working together for a common goal. It can be fun too. Happy and healthy staff equals a happy and healthy business.”

You can learn more about Thrive, and download a brochure, at www.derbyshireis.co.uk/business/thrive

Five top tips for looking after your mental health, by Dr Phil Clarke, at www.derbyshireis.co.uk/news/five-tips-for-looking-after-your-mental-health

DIS supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield Champions show their support for Mental Health Awareness Week

Today marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health.

The week, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 21st year and runs from 10-16 May. The foundation’s main theme this year is nature, and how connecting with the great outdoors can improve our health both mentally and physically.

Chesterfield Champions have been raising awareness of various mental health initiatives recently, with some carrying out activities to mark the occasion this week.

If your business is hosting any mental health awareness activity throughout this week, remember to let us know by tagging Destination Chesterfield on social media!


Surecare Chesterfield 

Surecare has launched a new  training ‘Hail Yourself’ training package with staff this week. The training will talk about various aspects of mental health. The training is not only designed to help the company’s dedicated care staff to look after the service users, but also help them to look after themselves and each other.

Helen Axup, Registered Manager at Surecare said: “Mobility issues stop a lot of people being able to go out and mixing as they would like to. We as a company want to promote ‘a healthy mind helps a healthy body’.

“I am in the perfect position to see first hand how mental health effects various different people, whether it is the people we care for with SureCare, under-appreciated care staff or the people we know socially. It doesn’t matter who they are, we are a human race and we should offer support and understanding. This gave birth to our ‘Hail Yourself’ training because the person you should start with is yourself.”

Heathcotes Group

The team at Heathcotes Group are sharing a number of resources with colleagues and service users to help raise awareness of mental health and signpost colleages and service users to resources.

Tom Matthews, HR Business Partner at Heathcotes Group has created a blog discussing the impact of the past year and the measures we can take to support good mental health.

You can read Tom’s blog here.

East Midlands Chamber

East Midlands Chamber’s director of resources and mental health first aider Lucy Robinson explains how businesses can help their employees to cope with the huge disruption brought on to their lives over the past 14 months.

Lucy’s blog post takes a look at the data behind mental health epidemic, employee mental health concerns and what employers can be doing to look after staff.

Find out more here.

Spire Radio

Team spire

For Mental Health Week, Spire Radio will be taking part in the Mental Health Minute. It takes place on-air at 10.59am on Friday 14th May,  and will feature celebrities and various other messages relating to the subject of mental health.

Find out more at: https://www.spire-radio.com/

The video below shows last year’s ‘Mental Health Minute’:

Chesterfield Royal Hospital

A brand new VIP lounge has been launched at Chesterfield Royal Hospital to improve the wellbeing offer for staff, with the help of airline or aviation staff who are currently furloughed, grounded or made redundant due to the pandemic.

The crews used their exceptional customer service skills and expertise to provide the hospital staff with a little bit of respite, as well as an opportunity to chat and share experiences.

Find out more about  the hospital’s ‘Project Wingman’ initiative here

Chesterfield Borough Council

A selection of ‘Mindful May’ events taking place this month, organised by Chesterfield Borough Council as part of the Year of Outdoors.

Residents are invited to book onto a number of different outdoor activities aimed at getting people out amongst nature in the town’s excellent green spaces.

Find out more about the events here.

University of Derby

St Helena's Chesterfield

Businesses across Chesterfield and the Midlands region are being offered the chance to boost productivity by working with the University of Derby to provide better mental health support for employees.

The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot will see the implementation of new workplace interventions at pilot organisations and the rollout of existing approaches in small, medium and large businesses across the Midlands Engine region. Find out more about the pilot here.

Derbyshire Institute of Sport

Derbyshire Institute of Sport project to put health and wellbeing at the heart of its support for the business community has proved a winner, with more than 100 people joining a mental health webinar about the importance of switching off from work and de-stressing.

The webinar, by DIS sports psychology lead Dr Phil Clarke, was the latest in a series of monthly, 30-minute ‘lunch and learn’ webinars available exclusively to businesses who sponsor the Community Interest Company.

Find out more.

360 wellbeing

 

360 Wellbeing Centre says their professional team are available to help with any psychological, physical or social symptoms of poor mental health.

The centre has also launched ‘The Hub Spot,’ a serene and tranquil work space available to hire by the hour. The space is designed for people to professionally meet with clients, get work done in a stress-free environment, take video conferencing calls or simply just to relax and unwind. Unlimited tea and coffee is also available to suit individual tastes. For more information, email info@360wellbeingcentre.co.uk

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Mental Health Awareness Week: Heathcotes Group discuss the measures we can take to support good mental health

On Mental Health Awareness Week (10th-16th May 2021), Tom Matthews, HR Business Partner at Heathcotes Group, discusses the impact of the past year and the measures we can take to support good mental health.

You can find out what Chesterfield Champions are doing to mark the occasion and raise awareness locally throughout the week here. 


The past year looms large in any discussion about mental health. The pandemic has been a cause of stress, anxiety, isolation and grief for communities across the world. Covid has been an unprecedented challenge for care providers, and on behalf of Heathcotes I am incredibly proud of the collective effort of our colleagues who have pulled together to meet this challenge. Our Support Workers, Team Leaders, Service Managers and central functions have shown unwavering dedication in support of some of the most vulnerable individuals in society, at a time when they needed that support more than ever.

The lockdown presented especially difficult circumstances for the individuals that we support. The sudden disruption and restrictions of the pandemic had the potential to have an extremely disturbing and stressful effect on individuals within our care, who have a variety of different needs.

Typifying Heathcotes’ person-centred approach, our services worked together to plan personal arrangements for each individual in our care, providing variations of established routines that were no longer possible in lockdown. The staff were amazingly inventive in coming up with ways to maintain engagement and contact with family members and help the people we support to cope. Our services nationwide arranged all kinds of initiatives, including talent contests, baking contests, photo shoots, rainbow-themed parties, art galleries, newsletters, garden makeovers and numerous other activities and events. Looking back over the past year, their efforts made an enormous difference in helping everyone to manage everyday life and maintain good mental health in the shadow of Coronavirus. They continue to do so as we tentatively approach a return to normality.

In our specialist provision of social care, there is a strong focus on the mental health of the individuals we support, but the wellbeing of our workforce is vital too. The workplace is hugely influential on mental health and organisations have a duty of care to ensure that this environment facilitates wellbeing.

Andy Bell, Deputy Chief Executive at Centre for Mental Health, said: “Work is – on the whole – good for our mental and physical health. However, mental health difficulties are both common and serious, and for a lot of people the places they work can have a big impact on their wellbeing. Companies, large and small, that take mental health seriously and create a mentally healthy environment to work in will benefit from being safer, happier and more productive.”

In any industry or sector, supporting good mental health starts with a culture of communication. There is no doubt that the national conversation around mental health has advanced in recent years, addressing the perceived stigma about discussing our problems, but many people are still uncomfortable about sharing their struggles and asking for help. Due to social conditioning, that reticence is more common amongst men. A survey commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation found that men are far less likely than women to seek professional support, and less likely to disclose a mental health problem to friends and family.

At Heathcotes, we’re proactive in changing attitudes, inspiring and empowering colleagues to feel comfortable about opening up and seeking support. This can encourage conversation in the workplace and educate and enable champions from across our organisation to access support and keep people safe. I’m really proud of our commitment to mental health safeguarding through upskilling, with access to accredited Mental Health First Aid training enabling employees to recognise the signs of colleagues experiencing a crisis and offering appropriate support.

In the past few months, Heathcotes have developed an employee assistance programme with a key emphasis on mental health and wellbeing, which we feel is vital to recognise following one of the most difficult years many of us have faced in our lifetime. It includes 24/7 access to a support team to discuss any matter, and access to expert counsellors providing confidential advice and support for depression or anxiety.

The programme also includes a range of online resources and apps providing lifestyle assistance, including diet and exercise planning, budgeting and physical and emotional wellbeing. Having a robust structure in place will make it easier for our colleagues to manage day-to-day aspects of their personal life, work life and wellbeing. It will also make it easier for our colleagues to reach out in their time of need.

While organisational leadership is essential, we can also make a crucial difference on a personal level. In busy environments like social care, it’s easy to let a working week pass by without taking time to discuss the worries and pressures in our lives. Regardless of your industry, if you suspect a colleague is struggling in silence, ask them how they are feeling. Simple gestures can make a huge difference in helping people to feel comfortable about speaking up.

The pandemic has given us a greater appreciation of the importance of observing and attending to mental health. At Heathcotes, we look ahead to more positive times with a greater understanding of how to look after ourselves and how to look out for others.


Heathcotes Group supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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University invites Midlands businesses to sign up to employee mental health support scheme

Businesses across Chesterfield and the Midlands region are being offered the chance to boost productivity by working with the University of Derby to provide better mental health support for employees.

The Mental Health and Productivity Pilot will see the implementation of new workplace interventions at pilot organisations and the rollout of existing approaches in small, medium and large businesses across the Midlands Engine region.

The programme aims to:

● contribute to the reduction of mental health distress
● break down the barriers to accessing care faced by people experiencing mental illness
● support their continuation in and return to work
● make a positive contribution to organisational productivity, in terms of wellbeing and economic outcomes

Dr Paula Holt, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Health and Social Care at the University of Derby, said: “The cost to the economy of mental health across the Midlands could be in excess of £45bn this year. Yet research shows that for every £1 invested in supporting the mental health of employees, the return to the employer in productivity is £5. Those returns are greater still when employers take preventative, rather than reactive, steps to help their staff.”

Around 1,900 employers took part in the first phase of project, exploring the issues of how mental health and wellbeing are currently dealt with in the workplace and its impact on performance.

Around a third of those taking part reported sickness absence among staff due to mental health issues, and a similar proportion recorded presenteeism, particularly in the hospitality and business services sectors.

Factors negatively affecting mental health of employees include:

● Lone or remote working
● Client expectations on time, quality and cost
● Job insecurity
● Recruitment practices

Dr Holt added: “A healthy and inclusive workplace is essential for all businesses, so providing appropriate support for employees, creating a culture of openness and tackling discrimination and stigma, will help to remove some of the barriers to growth and development for firms.

“The research we have carried out shows that employers recognise that understanding how to address mental health issues effectively can boost morale, engagement and motivation, but also reveals that they are not always sure where to obtain the help they need.”

The pilot will link employers directly to initiatives such as Every Mind Matters, This is Me and Mental Health First Aid, which all provide expert guidance. Once embedded into an organisation, the guidance aims to help reduce the prevalence of mental health difficulties and increase productivity among the workforce.

The University is now offering businesses of all sizes and from all sectors in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Stoke and Staffordshire, Shrewsbury and Shropshire, and Herefordshire the opportunity to work with them integrate effective mental health provision into their organisation.

Training courses which not only help to raise awareness but could be used to support continuing professional development (CPD) are also available.

Businesses taking part will be asked to commit to an initial meeting to discuss how the programme would work for their company, creating a roadmap for its success, and promoting their commitment to the pilot in the workplace.

To find out more about the pilot, visit our website: https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/midlands-engine-mental-health-and-productivity-pilot/

Cash Funding for Clever Ideas

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