Together Housing receives award as mental health champions

Published by Deb Booth for Together Housing Group in Housing

The Together Housing Group and NHS Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus (CTP) were both recognised at the second annual Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England awards at the House of Lords recently.   

Professor Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, Patron of MHFA England, hosted the event to recognise those who have championed mental health wellbeing and helped increase public understanding of mental health issues in England.

Working in partnership, The Together Housing Group and the CTP were commended for demonstrating “exemplary leadership in mental health literacy in their community”.

To date, nearly one hundred members of Together Housing Group staff have taken the MHFA approved course and there’s a rolling programme scheduled for more staff to benefit from the training.

Professor Lord Patel of Bradford OBE said: "MHFA England is not only an innovative and professional organisation, it is an essential community resource that is using its entrepreneurial skills to lead the way in community engagement."

Head of Organisational Development for the Together Housing Group, Catherine Proctor, said: "We are delighted to be recognised by MHFA England. Our decision to roll-out the course to staff followed partnership work with the local Primary Care Trust and great reviews from a pilot course. We saw this was an excellent way to support staff wellbeing and to support staff in their role within the community.”

Shirley Goodhew, Public Health Development Manager at the Blackburn with Darwen CTP, said: “Working with volunteers seemed an obvious choice as the benefits for both the volunteer and the community created a ‘win-win’ project. For the volunteers, they would be gaining news skills and a sense of purpose to help them seek future employment or even setting up or developing their own businesses.  

“I am very proud of my volunteers who are a pleasure to work with as they are enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate about improving mental health and well-being, and they have certainly taught me a lot!”

Through the MHFA programme, the housing group and the CTP have been able to help employees to recognise the early symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression: to understand what to do and who to turn to for help when they realise this in themselves, their colleagues or someone in the local community.

Other Award winners ranged from exemplary individuals to larger public sector organisations and visionary companies including NHS Trusts, national and local mental health charities, St John's Ambulance, the Royal British Legion, the Salvation Army, Universities, the Princes Trust and Financial Data Services companies.