Creating a coordinated approach to encourage a supportive mental health environment

Motability Operations are passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and had long recognised the intersectionality of mental health to the wider D&I agenda. The company were keen to build the confidence and skills of its Leaders to manage mental health and pro-actively check-in and open-up conversations with team members as part of a preventative approach. To also consider the resources and skills required to support a successful return to work after a period of absence due to mental illness.  Maintaining a supportive and open culture where employees feel safe to talk about mental health and are connected. 

Mental Health at Work created a tailored programme of learning, rolled out from 2020, which reached some 226 Managers and Coaches.  To further embed conversations about mental health into the organisation, and offer a confidential, expert listener and signposter for any employee at the point of need, we trained a further network of 65 MHaW Mental Health Allies® (A ratio of 1 Mental Health Ally to every 20 employees). The volunteer Allies were recruited from every department and represent all levels within the business, so that there is “someone for everyone” to talk to.  These activist and risk-watchers to the mental health agenda have been successful in keeping the topic alive across the company, working in partnership with HR to ensure that resources, policies, learning opportunities and employee benefits evolve to meet the changing needs of their people.  The HR team at Motability Operations set up an Allies Group which meet quarterly, to review impact and discuss opportunities to complement the work of the existing Diversity Network Groups. They also schedule a monthly check-in for all Allies to give them the opportunity to download and maintain peer support.  

In 2022, we were delighted to work in partnership with some of the MHaW Mental Health Allies® to run an all-staff webinar to promote well-being at Motability Operations. We continue to ensure that the skills and knowledge of the Allies remain fresh, by delivering a programme of Masterclasses and updates.