Chesterfield businesses are taking centre stage in championing mental health awareness.
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 (13th -19th May), we’re shining a light on the proactive measures undertaken by our local organisations to nurture the well-being of their employees and residents across our town.
Chesterfield boasts a number of assets to support mental and physical wellbeing, including award-winning parks and green spaces, the town’s proximity to the Peak District National Park, and of course the overall sense of community and togetherness amongst our people. Did you know Chesterfield was recently ranked the happiest place to live in the East Midlands?
In our conversations with Chesterfield Champions, we explore the diverse ways in which businesses, public sector organisations and our local charity and voluntary sectors are fostering mental health awareness and support within our community.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital
Karlie Thompson, Associate Director of Communications at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS FT commented: “Here at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, we are an anchor institute for the town and employ more than 5,000 colleagues; we are therefore a key player in the wider health and care system and we are committed to supporting mental health across all our partners.
“We pride ourselves on prioritising the health and wellbeing of our colleagues and our wider community. This includes our commitment to colleagues through 24/7 support services and a £2m Health and Wellbeing Hub with gym and counselling facilities on the hospital site to signage in ED which research shows reduces anxiety and worry as it explains what each section of the department does, what might happen to you in that area and who may treat you. We also have unique, tailored, sections of the department which are specifically designed to support those in mental health crisis.
“Help is there when people are in need and it takes many forms from reaching out through NHS111 to speaking to your doctor. The best place for people suffering with mental health is probably not our Emergency Department, equally, we would encourage anybody feeling they need support to reach out.”
Junction Arts
Emily Bowman, Managing Director at Junction Arts said: “Wellbeing underlines everything we do at Junction Arts, when planning our events, festivals and projects we always consider how we can improve people’s mental wellbeing, whether that’s building young people’s confidence and self-esteem with our Six Pillars and Next Gen projects or combatting loneliness and isolation with our successful warm space, Cosy Crafts initiative earlier this year. We know that being creative and connecting with people can benefit our mental health.
“But mental health is not isolated to the communities we work in, it’s an important issue that can impact our team and volunteers – without them we can’t do the great work we do. By talking more about our mental health we can dispel the stigma and misconceptions and encourage hope by sharing stories of recovery as well as the struggle. The more we do this, the more chance there is for positive change.”
Fairplay
In support of staff mental health wellbeing, Fairplay are working closely with local charity RELATE, and Derby university students to offer counselling sessions for it’s employees.
Fairplay work hard to promote staff wellbeing and offer support to staff through supervisions and 1:1 meetings. Fairplay have designated qualified Mental Health First Aiders who are available for support throughout the working week and also outside of working hours so that employees are able to reach out and talk to someone if they are struggling with their mental health wellbeing.
Fairplay’s HR Officer Nikki Lowe said: “supporting the wellbeing of our staff is very high on the agenda for Fairplay, and alongside internal support from qualified staff we are now working with local organisations to offer staff members additional support from external sources via RELATE counselling and level 5 trainee counsellor and psychotherapy students from Derby university.
“It is important that we all support one another, and to coincide with the counselling sessions being offered Fairplay have implemented a ‘mental health awareness process’ where all staff members have been given a badge with a green heart on which can be worn if they are having a particularly bad day or struggling with something, so that colleagues are aware that they are not feeling 100%.
“This visual aid will hopefully encourage staff members to be supportive of their colleagues and be a reminder to all that kindness costs nothing and a little ‘I’m here if you need me’ goes a long way.”
Chesterfield Canal Trust
One of Chesterfield’s most picturesque locations, the Chesterfield Canal is an excellent way to boost your wellbeing.
You can enjoy a scenic walk along the towpath, have a quick drink or bite to eat at Holloingwood Hub, or even head out onto the water via a tranquil canal cruise or paddle boarding session.
Rod Auton, Scretary of Chesterfield Canal Trust said: “The Chesterfield Canal is seen as a safe and calm space by many local residents. Many come to Hollingwood Hub to visit Katey’s Coffee Shop, to sit in the beautiful gardens tended by volunteers and to enjoy a boat trip.
“Successive Covid lockdowns brought home to many of the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s volunteers just how important the companionship of being in a team and working for a common cause can be to enhancing one’s mental wellbeing.”
The organisations included in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
