Leading the Way in Mental Health: MWW Hosts MHFA Champions Course
On August 7th, 2024, a group of 12 leaders from Minor Weir & Willis Ltd. (MWW) came together for a transformative day of training at the MWW academy. The occasion was the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Champions course, a key initiative in MWW’s ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.
A Full-Day Commitment to Mental Well-Being
The course was part of MWW’s management development program, designed to equip leaders from various departments—logistics, production, technical, commercial, HR, and finance—with the skills to recognize and address mental health issues in the workplace. The training was delivered by Sara Goodman, founder of Little Blue Boat Training, whose expertise and engaging teaching style left a lasting impression on all attendees.
Participants praised Sara for her ability to create a safe space for discussion and learning, which significantly boosted their confidence in supporting colleagues facing mental health challenges. Before the course, most attendees rated their confidence between 4 and 7 out of 10; by the end, these ratings had surged to between 7 and 9. Knowledge about mental health support saw similar improvements, making the day not just informative but empowering.
Why Mental Health Training Matters at MWW
MWW’s decision to run the MHFA Champions course aligns with several of the company’s core objectives:
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Creating a Supportive Work Environment: By training mental health champions, MWW ensures that leaders can recognize early signs of mental health issues and provide crucial support, promoting a culture of care and empathy.
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Enhancing Employee Well-Being: Equipped with practical skills, our leaders can now better manage mental health crises, helping to prevent issues from escalating and ensuring a healthier, more productive workforce.
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Reducing Stigma: Openly addressing mental health in the workplace helps to break down stigmas, encouraging more employees to seek help when needed.
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Improving Retention: Employees who feel supported are more likely to stay with the company, contributing to higher retention rates and a more loyal, engaged workforce.
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Aligning with CSR Goals: This initiative is a clear demonstration of MWW’s commitment to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals, showcasing our dedication to the health and well-being of our workforce.
Participant Feedback and Future Steps
The feedback from the course was overwhelmingly positive, with all participants expressing a strong likelihood to recommend it to others. Descriptions like “worthwhile,” “thought-provoking,” and “essential” reflect the course’s impact.
As MWW continues to prioritize mental health, this training is just one step in our broader strategy to create a supportive, inclusive, and healthy workplace. We believe that by investing in the well-being of our employees, we are not only enhancing their lives but also strengthening our company as a whole.
For more insights into our values and initiatives, visit https://www.mww.co.uk/company-values/