SPOTLIGHT
MATES IN MIND EXTENDS ITS REACH INTO NORTHERN IRELAND
Mates in Mind has extended its reach into Northern Ireland through partnership with leading mental health charity , Inspire Knowledge and Leadership . The partnership means that construction companies and workers throughout Northern Ireland can access the full support of the Mates in Mind programme .
Mental health in construction is a significant issue , with over a third of construction workers having experienced a condition in the past year , and almost a quarter of workers considering leaving the industry due to mental health related issues ( Randstad ). Mates in Mind is a charity set up for and by the construction industry , to help organisations improve mental health and wellbeing of their workforce . Since launching its programme in September 2017 , almost 70 construction companies have already become Supporters of the charity , each of whom are striving to improve the mental health and wellbeing of their own workforce and across the industry .
The partnership with Inspire will enable the charity to reach construction workers in Northern Ireland with a range of programme support , training and awareness programmes as well as counselling support services .
Inspire is a charity and social enterprise based in Northern Ireland that promotes mental health and wellbeing . Through Inspire ’ s training network , which includes three training locations as well as a mobile training facility , Northern Ireland-based construction and construction-related trade workers will have access to the full range of the Mates in Mind training and awareness programmes . These include the innovative Start the Conversation course , line manager and supervisory training as well as Mental Health First Aid training . As well as becoming a Supporter of Mates in Mind , sole traders and small businesses will also have access to unlimited 24 / 7 phone based counselling support .
The programme has been developed in collaboration with key members of the Workplace Health Leadership Group ( NI ) ( WHLG ( NI )), as well as in liaison with the Construction Employers Federation NI ( CEFNI ), the Federation of Master Builders ( FMB ), CITB NI and Buildhealth NI .
Richard McIvor , Chair of IOSH Ireland RCC , IOSH Council Member , and WHLG ( NI ) Co-Founding Member commented :
“ WHLG ( NI ) members are delighted to have acted as the catalyst in bringing Mates in Mind to Northern Ireland . Since its inception at the Health in Construction Leadership Group ( HCLG ), we have been keen to bring it to Northern Ireland , to service local needs , including those of individuals and contractors who routinely work in GB . We are also encouraged by the desire of Mates in Mind to serve the requirements of the Northern Ireland industry by providing a bespoke package , including a local delivery partner – Inspire , who are accessible to SMEs .”
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HSE INTERNATIONAL