G&H Group Managing Director shortlisted in national awards for mental health & wellbeing campaign
G&H Group’s Managing Director has been shortlisted in a prestigious national award for his work improving mental health and wellbeing.
Graham Kelly is among 10 others in contention to win the True Leader category in recognition of his efforts supporting mental health and wellbeing among staff over the past year.
The Make A Difference Awards are in association with London’s Evening Standard and The Watercooler Event aimed at getting employers to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
To spread the word far and wide, winners will be those who receive the most votes from Make A Difference Awards’ 25,000+ network and nominees’ own contacts who could vote online until 17 April.
The construction sector has some of the worst rates of mental health in the UK with men three times more likely to die from suicide than the average male.
This struck a chord with Graham and in September 2022 he launched the ‘You’re Not Alone’ campaign to support the Group’s 180 employees.
Eight introductory workshops delivered by Graham and specialist partner Breathing Space HR highlighted how to spot signs and support mental health.
The voluntary sessions were well received with 120 people attending and 16 going on to become Wellbeing Champions with level 2 training received.
As part of the campaign, the champions and Breathing Space HR provide ongoing training and workshops aligned to the national health and wellbeing calendar.
These cover a wide range of topics including how to help people manage and avoid stress, identify and understand anxiety and spot signs of mental health illness in others.
Employee wellbeing tips and blog posts covering financial advice, benefits of healthy eating, exercise and smoking cessation are promoted too.
G&H Group staff also have access to DevelopME – an online portal from Breathing Space HR.
Graham Kelly said: “I’m really proud to have been shortlisted and the best part is this nomination will further increase awareness and get even more people talking – this is vital because mental health issues can affect anyone at any time.
“Breaking down the stigma is one of the biggest challenges.
“The more commonplace we can make it for people to raise mental health issues and let them know where they can get help the better things will become.
“We want it to snowball to the point where it becomes as accepted as reporting physical illnesses.”
The Make A Difference Awards saw over 260 nominations received from multi-national corporate companies through to small charities.
Results will be announced at a ceremony at the end of the first day of The Watercooler Event at ExCel in London on Tuesday 25 April with winners profiled in London’s Evening Standard.
