The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) began its third annual 144-mile Walk & Talk challenge in London on Sunday and reaches its climax at HSBC’s Birmingham head office later today. There are some 72 participants from across the mortgage sector taking part.
The six-day initiative has been following the Grand Union Canal, with individuals joining for different stages of the route.
The event has been led all week by Jason Berry, group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance and co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, who will complete the full route alongside Charlie Morley, director of mortgage distribution, operations and servicing at Metro Bank, who has also walked the entire week.
Over the last three weeks Mortgage Soup has been firing the questions at both sponsors and those taking part.
Today, Ben Thompson (main picture, inset), director of home moving strategy at MAB, is under the spotlight.
MS: What made you want to support and be part of the Walk and Talk initiative / event?
Mental health as a topic is so broad and encompasses so many things, many of which sadly we never get to know about or see.
I chose to Walk & Talk this year because I want to support the great cause of continually pausing to remember those who suffer and do my small part – which is to help add to the great efforts of raising awareness not just in our industry, but beyond.
Walking – in my case just for 26 miles and one day – is not enough by any stretch but it is important.
I have seen mental illness up close and the suffering it brings. I would like to see a society and state that becomes more accepting and supportive towards mental health all round.
MS: From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges brokers / clients are facing right now with their mental health and wellbeing?
Well I have to say, in some ways I don’t know, and won’t know, because all too often we don’t get to truly hear the extent or seriousness of what some people are going through and struggling with.
What I can see is that our market seems over recent years to have gone from feast to famine, experiencing extreme highs and more frequently, lows.
The stresses and strains placed on mortgage advisers and management in my opinion over this period have been significant.
I know of people who really struggled during the pandemic and since then things have stressed and strained our sector time and again.
I know there is no quick fix – yes, lenders perhaps could do more and advisers the same, but it’s the over-arching and wider market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty driven by factors (and should I say one person) beyond our control that has led to this.
My hope is this period has made many people stronger and better at what they do but I worry for some it’s all been too much.
As an industry I’d like to think we can all be there to cushion and support those that have been driven close to breaking point and recognise when to step in and really help.
MS: What is your organisation doing to better support staff and the wider market?
We offer flexible working; training for mental health awareness; how to spot signs and support and report, plus we have special new areas for those that want time out and many other positive support measures.
We do way more now than we did in the past but I also recognise that improvement should never stop.
MS: Looking ahead, what trends or changes would you like to see in the next 12–24 months?
If I could wave a magic wand – better training and support for advisers new to the industry; stronger support for those who are struggling (so we don’t lose them!); an industry reputation for being an exciting, kind and safe place to have a career and of course, a thriving and stable market.
MS: What does success from this initiative / event look like for you?
Money raised of course matters and I hope we smash through that target.
Awareness and any positive impacts that come from that plus a chance to talk openly as one team during the week would all constitute success to me.
