Member Article

Mental health qualifications at Clive Owen LLP

Three members of the Clive Owen LLP team have received an NVQ Level 2 in Mental Health Awareness taking the number of qualified staff to seven.

They are now on-hand to offer support and advice to the firm’s 123 colleagues, whether this be a simple catch up over a coffee or signposting for further support.

Declan Smith, senior associate of the Darlington office, Rebecca Porritt, assistant manager from the Durham office and Helen Robinson, manager from the Middlesbrough office all completed the training.

They join Melanie Goodall, Caroline Bowerbank, Bridget Charlton, and Kimberley Nicholls who are already certified.

The course, delivered by Darlington-based Corporate Personal Wellbeing is the only fully online NVQ in the UK that incorporates mental health first aid. Although online, the learning incorporates live webinars to enable participants to fully immerse themselves in the training.

The purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with an overview and awareness of mental health, common issues and how to spot the early warning signs. Increasing awareness of mental health will go some way to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and provide a more inclusive, supportive environment for all staff.

HR Director, Caroline Bowerbank, who underwent the same training in 2019 said, “Clive Owen LLP recognises the importance of a supportive work environment, and mental health is a real focus for us as a firm. We understand the pressures every-day life can bring, and so ensuring our colleagues have people they can go to for support is important.

“We have made the decision to train more of our existing team, as we have seen the benefit that this training has brought. Colleagues feel more comfortable asking for support and are aware that help is available.”

Patrick Masheder, Director of Corporate Personal Wellbeing said, “Clive Owen LLP is one of those forward-thinking businesses that truly care for their employees. We are delighted to continue the good work supporting the team.

“Looking after our employees has never been so important. This qualification is a sure-fire way of ensuring teams understand how to care for others properly. It equips them with the skills needed to signpost their co-workers to the support they may need, helping prevent poor mental health and proactively increasing corporate resilience.”

Declan Smith, who was part of the most recent training said, “It feels good to have undergone this training, which has given me knowledge of what drives good mental wellbeing and health. I now feel comfortable offering my support to my colleagues’.

The firm offers a raft of innovative initiatives to drive wellbeing amongst its team. It has introduced flexible working options and an innovative nine-day-fortnight, where colleagues can have a day off every two weeks by taking a shorter lunch or working extra time. On top of this, the firm has introduced a wellbeing support app which includes regular fun activities that support mental and physical health.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .