Train operating organisation Transport for Wales has signed the Time to Change employer pledge to support mental wellbeing among its 80 employees.
The Time to Change employer pledge, which is operated by charity Mental Health at Work, enables organisations to publicly demonstrate their commitment to tackling the stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill health in the workplace. Currently, more than 900 businesses have signed the pledge.
Transport for Wales formally signed the Time to Change pledge on 1 April 2019 to launch its new mental health programme, which aims to show employees that the organisation values and supports them as individuals, and to make talking about mental health and sharing experiences feel natural in the workplace.
James Price, chief executive officer at Transport for Wales, said: “Signing the Time to Change pledge is an important milestone in our organisation’s commitment to mental health. We have an ambitious programme of training to ensure that we all support each other.”
Transport for Wales trained seven mental health first aiders in March 2019, and eight more are due to be trained this month (April 2019). The organisation is also implementing an employee assistance programme (EAP) in May 2019.
Transport for Wales’ focus on mental health aligns with its wider health and wellbeing strategy, which includes training managers in mental health and risk management as well as operating a staff wellbeing action group. This function will be the main driver for all health and wellbeing related initiatives, based on the five ways to wellbeing principles advocated by charity Mind: connect, be active, take notice, learn and give.
Price added: “We want to be a beacon of success in tackling the causes of workplace mental health, but to go even further and support those who are suffering for other reasons. My commitment to make this happen is a top priority.
“Transport for Wales is closely aligned with the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015; we are committed to improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales and improving the wellbeing of all our staff is fundamental to this.”
