With 1 in 4 people in England experiencing a problem with their mental health every year*, and 1 in 6 reporting they’ve experienced a common mental health problem (eg. anxiety and depression) in any given week*, there’s no escaping the fact we’re all likely to come into contact with someone who is struggling at some point – far more than any first aid incident we’re going to have to deal with.
And while here in the UK we prioritise physical first aid, mental health first aid training isn’t mandatory.
Which is why, back in the summer of 2022, we announced we were rolling out mental health training for our whole Little Voices network.
And today, we’re proud as punch to announce that 100% of our franchisees are now certified in mental health awareness through MHFA England – the only such training that’s approved by the Department of Health and Social Care.
The importance of nurturing a positive mindset and mental health in the workplace
Wellbeing is central to our DNA at Little Voices: we’ve been talking about the benefits of our lessons on children’s mental wellbeing long before it hit the headlines.
So extending the nurturing of positive mindset and good mental health to the workplace through the introduction of a number of wellbeing initiatives cements and builds on that.
As well as mental health awareness training, we’ve introduced a wellbeing policy, appointed one of our franchisees to the role of Wellbeing Ambassador, implemented a weekly Wellbeing Wednesday thread in our private franchisee forum, and also introduced regular wellbeing huddles.
Because we want to ensure our franchisees have the opportunity as busy business owners and parents to reflect, juggle the balls, and be kinder on themselves.
It’s about so much more than business
Yes, it stands to reason that if we are all well, and functioning in a balanced way, our businesses thrive.
But for us, the importance of good mental health goes way beyond business life.
It means that not only is every franchisee more aware of how they’re doing with their own mental health, but they’re also more aware of how their family, friends, and colleagues are doing.
It means our tutors are in safe hands, and our pupils are, too.
As a national organisation, we’re now better equipped to help and support the families and children whose lives we touch through our lessons, school partnerships, and holiday sessions every single day.
In short, we’re now potentially in a better place to help.
To find out more about franchise opportunities with Little Voices, just get in touch via email or fill out this short form.
* Mind