Employees at BAE Systems Submarines in Barrow are being encouraged to take part in a series of events aimed at increasing awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
Managing director Cliff Robson reaffirmed the company’s commitment to wellbeing by signing the Time to Change employer’s pledge, which is part of a government-supported campaign funded by Comic Relief, the National Lottery and supported by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.
Mr Robson said: “With nearly 9,000 employees, people are at the heart of everything we do. In order to deliver our programmes, we need healthy, inspired people working in innovative, forward-thinking environments. Developing outstanding employees starts with the fundamentals of health and wellbeing – when we feel good, we do good.”
He added: “Signing the Time to Change pledge is just one example of how we look after everyone who works for us.”
Germaine Griffiths, a mental health first aider at BAE Systems Submarines, who coordinated the campaign, said: “Looking after the mental health of employees makes business sense: tackling stigma can make a real difference to sickness absence rates, presenteeism levels, staff wellbeing and productivity, and retention.”
She added: “We’ve arranged the first tea and talk session this Thursday to coincide with Time to Talk day and then on every third Thursday there will be drop in sessions. The aim is to provide a place where anyone can come and talk openly about how they’re feeling and highlight the kind of support that is on offer.”
BAE Systems already operates a mental wellbeing network at its Barrow site, promoting health across the business while its ALLright project, which was founded in 2018, is aimed at apprentices and graduate.
BAE Systems together with Barclays, Sellafield, Cumbria Police and the NHS are also jointly sponsoring the This is Me mental wellbeing event to be held at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith on February 7th. Around 120 business leaders from across Cumbria are expected to attend the sell-out event.
