At Barrett Steel, we understand the importance of mental health in both our colleagues and the community. This week is Mental Health Awareness week and we wanted to highlight the significance of this global initiative and shed light on the proactive measures our colleagues have taken to support Mental Health within our organisation and fundraising undertaken for Mind UK.

Mental Health Awareness Week serves as a reminder that mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being. It encourages us to take a step back, reflect, and initiate conversations that may help save lives. With 1 in 4 individuals experiencing mental health issues at some point in their lives, it is essential that we foster a workplace environment that values and prioritises mental health.
 
Our Mental Health First Aiders

As a group, we are proud to have a team of Mental Health First Aiders covering our sites UK wide. These compassionate individuals act as a source of support and guidance for our colleagues. Their role is to provide initial assistance to those experiencing mental health difficulties and promote a culture of well-being and understanding within our group.

Our MHFA have been making a significant difference already with the development of a ‘’safe space’’ room at our Head Office in Bradford, seasonal campaigns have been sent to all of our depots for bulletin boards, the creation of an internal as well as online board describing who our MHFA are, distribution of employee assistant programme information including key contacts and new MHFA high viz vests so all of our colleagues can easily identify our team.

‘’To fully support our colleagues across the group, we established a Mental Health Steering Group in October last year and have been meeting monthly with a remit to discuss and promote mental health across the group. The Steering Group consists of HR Director Graham Clark as Chai alongside Lindsay Clarke, Harry Crew, Penny Etheridge, Kully Kaur, Kevin McCourt, Ashley Owen, and Sharon Smith. We are grateful to all for giving up their time and we have already made significant progress.’’ Commented Recruitment Manager Lindsay Clarke.
 
Our Colleagues Engagement

We have also been extremely fortunate to witness the engagement and enthusiasm of our colleagues in embracing mental health awareness. Our colleagues have taken it upon themselves to run a wide range of fundraisers for Mind UK.

As a business, we have always worked closely with Mind. They are an incredible organisation that supports and promotes mental health by offering invaluable services to those in need.

In May alone, our Scotland Team as well as group Accounts Assistant Ashley Owen, stepped up to the challenge and raised over £23k for important causes. Our Business Development Manager, Jennie Lee, lost her mother Margaret to breast cancer, and since then, she has been working tirelessly to raise awareness and support for breast cancer treatment in Scotland. You can read more about these two activities on our blog here https://www.barrettsteel.com/about/the-company/news/barrett-steel-teams-raise-over-%C2%A323k-for-charities/.



One of our Sales Office Coordinator’s, James Balk, recently skydived to raise money for Mind. James jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet and raised over £500 for this incredible cause.
 
James commented on his skydive saying: ''The main reason I chose this charity is because I have suffered with my own serious mental health challenges in my younger years and really understand how crucial it is to be able to get help and support because I wasn't so lucky. I wanted to raise awareness and to show to everyone that may be struggling that it is possible to overcome the toughest of challenges and come out at the other end at a much better place.''
Our Barrett Central Distribution Tubes and Barrett Central Processing depots in Scunthorpe have also joined forces and taken an important step towards raising awareness and supporting Mind North Lincolnshire through monthly 6 a side football fundraiser.

Our depots held their inaugural competition on Friday 14th with an end-to-end game. Our Barrett Central Processing depot came out on top with a 12-8 win and took home the Jay Harper Trophy, named after an employee who sadly took his own life last year. It serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health support, and we are proud to honour his memory by supporting Mind and their mission.



In the last few years, our colleagues have also raised well in excess of £6,000 through various fundraisers such as golf days, coffee mornings and events.

Our group is committed to fostering a workplace environment that promotes well-being and supports our employees mental health.