A programme of fully funded Mental Health First Aid training is being delivered across the UK mortgage and specialist finance sector this year, offering accredited two-day courses at no cost to firms or individuals.
The initiative forms part of a wider push within the industry to raise wellbeing standards and provide businesses with practical tools to better support staff in what remains a high-pressure working environment.
The two-day Mental Health First Aid course is designed to help delegates recognise the early signs of mental ill health, approach and support colleagues with greater confidence, understand appropriate professional boundaries, and signpost individuals to specialist help where required.
Organisers say demand has been strong, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The courses are open to professionals across the mortgage and specialist finance markets.
INDUSTRY ENDORSEMENT
Nicola Firth, co founder of Knowledge Bank, who recently completed the training, said: “I just wanted to drop you an email whilst things were fresh in my mind on the MHFA training from the start of the week. As you’ve seen on my LinkedIn posts, it was phenomenal!
“Sally is so good!! I can’t speak highly enough of both her and the quality of this course. It’s so well thought out and delivered and it really does equip people to not only deliver that ‘first aid’ but also to understand where those boundaries are with regards to what’s expected and what they can do for that person and where to hand off to a professional.”
Upcoming confirmed and provisional dates include 16–17 March in London at MT Finance’s Broadgate office, 21–22 April in Hampshire at Propp in Segensworth, and 5–6 May in Cardiff hosted by Pepper Money. Further sessions are scheduled for 24–25 June in London, with the venue to be confirmed, 8–9 July in Newcastle at the London & Country office, and 21–22 September in Bath, also at London & Country. August has been set aside as a summer break.
ACTION DRIVES CHANGE
Jason Berry, group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance and co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, said: “Awareness is important, but action is what drives change.
“Giving individuals the skills and confidence to step in early, listen properly and signpost appropriately is one of the most practical things we can do as an industry.
“If we want sustainable, high-performing businesses, we must prioritise the wellbeing of the people who power them. We still have spaces available for all our indicated courses including the upcoming one starting 16th March which takes place in central London.”
Firms and individuals interested in securing places have been invited to contact Berry directly.
