GRAHAM launches new mental health and wellbeing campaign

The business has trained over 80 additional staff members to take up the role as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) across the business in a move that will guide and support staff and subcontractors through one of the most challenging economic periods in our modern history.

The campaign will also be supported by GRAHAM’S new online Wellbeing Hub, which acts as a point of reference for any employee who needs support and guidance. The Hub will offer up a host of information on mental health and wellbeing resources including access to counselling and support programmes.

Complementing the offering will be regular ‘toolbox talks’ that address mental health and wellbeing topics allowing teams to engage with each other on subject-specific dialogues.

This laser focus on the mental wellbeing of employees comes during a time of grave economic uncertainty and follows on from GRAHAM’s recent win at the NI Health & Fitness Awards where it received an award for the ‘Best Corporate Wellness Programme’.

The company is also a finalist in the Investors In People (IIP) Awards this year for its innovative approach to overall wellbeing in the workplace.

Speaking about the initiative, Michael Smyth, HR Director, GRAHAM, said: “Construction has always been considered a macho industry where employees haven’t previously felt comfortable speaking up if they are suffering with their mental health.

“We feel it is our duty as an employer to act as a figurehead and lead the way when it comes to addressing sensitive issues and that’s exactly what we have chosen to do by pioneering a programme and environment that removes the stigma around mental health issues and replaces it with solutions and support.

“Our programme also embraces inclusion and by valuing individuals and promoting a culture of wellbeing to which people respond positively, it allows them to thrive and achieve personal and professional success.

“We have actioned a number of new plans including training an additional 80 employees as certified mental health first aiders.

“These staff members work across all our departments in the UK and Ireland - from offices to live sites — and they are now readily available to talk to any one of our staff or supply chain employees who needs support and guidance.”

Mr Smyth continued: “We recognise now, more than ever, that we are living in a very uncertain world, and recognise that our staff balance their working life with a wide range of external issues that may prevent them from feeling their best and we want them to know we are here for them.”

Mental Health First Aiders will be supported by the Human Resources and Health and Safety teams at the company and will be readily identifiable.

At present GRAHAM employs around 2,000 staff members, 1,100 of which are based in Northern Ireland.

Proudly “delivering lasting impact” since 1778, it is currently completing over 100 live projects across a range of key sectors including education, healthcare, commercial, retail, highways and rail.

In 2018, GRAHAM won the inaugural Excellence in Health and Wellbeing Award at the Investors in People (IIP) Awards. The award, which is an international accolade across all industries, was in recognition of GRAHAM’s pioneering employee health and wellbeing initiative, CONNECT PLUS. GRAHAM was also awarded IIP Platinum accreditation in 2017, the highest accolade that can be achieved against the IIP standard and is currently held by only 3% of IIP accredited organisations.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you