Strengthening Our Team with Mental Health First Aiders

05 November 2024
Media alt text	an SLPE employee reaching for a first aid kit

We are pleased to announce that we now have three qualified Mental Health First Aiders on our team! In addition to Navraj Sokhi and Hannah Mills, we’re delighted to welcome Ashleen Ward, our new People Practice Manager, who has been a qualified mental health first aider since 2021.

Creating a supportive environment where mental health is discussed and prioritised is an important part of Our Culture. We proudly offer all employees the chance to train as Mental Health Responders, with the opportunity to advance as Mental Health First Aiders for those who wish to take on greater responsibility. This vital training empowers our team members with the skills to handle mental health challenges with confidence and compassion.

Ashleen Ward, our People Practice Manager, shared her thoughts: "Our Mental Health First Aider training is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to develop valuable skills – from incident assessment and management to offering reassurance, support, and signposting. This is a key part of our proactive approach to staff wellbeing, where everyone contributes to fostering a supportive workplace environment. Since joining SLPE, I’ve been genuinely impressed by how the team supports one another, collaborates to solve problems, and shares in each other’s successes – it’s a real pleasure to be a part of it.”

All of our training is delivered by St John Ambulance, aligning with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance. This ensures our first aiders receive a robust set of practical skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to respond effectively to mental health and first aid emergencies.

We are proud to continue empowering our team, fostering a culture of care and resilience. To learn more about our Mental Health Responders and First Aiders, please click here.