Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, and Carousel Buses have launched a mental well being scheme for its colleagues as part of its mental health charter. It coincides with UK Mental Health Awareness Week, which began on 10 May.
A group of 11 volunteers have received specialist training to help them identify mental health triggers, reassure colleagues and source further support where needed. The scheme has already provided support.
“Mental Health Awareness Week is open to everyone – it is all about starting conversations about mental health and the things in our daily lives that can affect it,” says Managing Director at Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, Carousel Buses and City Sightseeing Oxford Phil Southall. “We are pleased to be launching our mental health wellbeing team having invested in training with mental health first aid for colleagues.
“It is vital that our colleagues are properly supported and this initiative ensures that support is readily available across our companies.”
One of the first trained members of the team is Private Hire Manager Kev Flannagan, who has experienced a mental health crisis first hand and now helps identify vulnerable colleagues work through issues. “15 years ago, if a driver was off sick for depression, you’d never know,” he says. “It is a lot more open now. Knowing where the bottom of the barrel is – you don’t want to see anyone else hit it.”
The team builds on the operators’ Employee Assistance Programme which provides mental health support and access to counsellors.
