OSB Group has introduced mental health first aiders across the business.

Richard Barrett, OSB Group’s head of people development, provided 11 staff volunteers with a Mental Health First Aid England approved learning framework to help them to listen without judgement and signpost available support via both professional and charitable organisations.

The course also covered the importance of family and friends support networks to a person’s mental health journey, as they can be hugely beneficial to someone’s road to recovery.

The group’s purpose is “to help our customers, colleagues and communities prosper” and it believes the introduction of the mental health advisers reflects this.

 Andy Golding, OSB Group CEO, said: “Mental health is a critical issue and one that I personally feel quite passionate about. If we can make a difference, even to just one or two people through this scheme, then that’s a big win if it means we’ve helped direct them to the right professional support.”

Additional courses in May and September are already fully subscribed and Barrett commented: “Not only are our mental health first aiders helping colleagues within the business, our Kent Reliance branch colleagues have also used the training to help our customers and it’s a great opportunity to highlight the help available during Mental Health Awareness Week.”

The group hopes to have over 30 mental health first aiders across the business by the end of the year and actively supports Mental Health Awareness Week which is running this year between 9-15 May with the theme of loneliness as its focus.