A DISTRIBUTION centre which employs more than 1,300 people has been praised for its commitment to raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.

The Co-op Distribution Centre at Lea Green, has signed the ‘Time to Change’ pledge to coincide with World Mental Health Day.

To help mark this significant occasion, St Helens Council's deputy leader, Cllr Andy Bowden, portfolio holder for economic development, was invited down to the distribution centre for the pledge signing where he received a tour of the depot, and praised staff for their work around raising awareness of mental health.

More than 800 employers around the UK to date have signed the Time to Change pledge to demonstrate their commitment to change how they think and act about mental health in the workplace and make sure that employees who are facing these problems feel supported.

In August 2017, the Co-op recruited Georgia Hurst to improve staff engagement. One of the first things Georgia did was to set up a ‘market place’ based in the canteen as a hub for staff information, events and health campaigns such as the blood pressure awareness campaign, ‘Know your Numbers’.

Through St Helens Council’s business liaison officer, Sue Waller, the Co-op were able to access the health services on site including smoke free, physical activity plan, blood pressure checks and the use of the Wellpoint Kiosk.

At Lea Green work has been done to develop a culture where employees feel able to talk openly about their mental health problems. With the use of benchmarking standards, Georgia was able to plan activity and introduce new initiatives.

The company made real progress on mental health and organised a mental health campaign month from October 10 to 31 last year which led to more than 100 colleagues making pledges to "be in their colleagues' corner".

The Co-op has since continued to increase activity on workplace health and has so far this year held successful initiatives including two mental health campaigns in May and October; the recruitment for mental health first aiders provided through Manchester College – and a ‘curry and a chat’ event in the canteen to offer staff the opportunity to have a curry and an open chat about mental health.

Georgia Hurst, engagement officer for Co-Op, said: “A priority of ours at Co-op Lea Green Distribution Centre is to actively promote health and wellbeing to our colleagues.

"The support of Sue and the utilisation of the many great services the council has to offer has been the key to our continued success in landing key messages particularly around mental health.”

Sue Waller added: “The work on mental health at the Co-op Lea Green Distribution Centre was enterprising and creative. Georgia’s commitment and energy along with support of management is making a different to the staff at Lea Green.”

Praising the Co-op for its approach to raising awareness of mental health, Cllr Bowden said: “I applaud the fantastic work that has been carried out here, and of course Sue, whose work underlines the council’s commitment to addressing mental health.

“I hope this will now pave the way for more businesses and organisations, both public and private sector to adopt the time to change pledge which will help create a healthier and happier workplace.”

  • In St Helens, organisations can take the opportunity demonstrate their commitment to wellbeing in the workforce through a funded resource providing advice and practical support available, from benchmarking to free health checks. For more contact Sue Waller on 01744 676001 or email susanwaller@sthelens.gov.uk

A wide range of services are available in St Helens for anyone wanting to talk about their mental health and wellbeing. For more sthelens.gov.uk/public-health-and-wellbeing/staying-well/mental-health-and-wellbeing