Health provider helps raise awareness on importance of mental health support

Global healthcare provider Maximus teamed up with Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) to raise awareness about the importance of mental health support.

Recognising the critical role good mental health plays in the workplace, SLT has fully embraced the opportunity to partner with Maximus with 217 employees dedicated to delivering high-quality sport and leisure services.

Throughout the partnership, joint activities were held across the SLT network, engaging with staff and visitors to foster meaningful conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

Gemma Ellis, head of people at SLT, said: “Partnering with Maximus will enhance the support we already provide to our colleagues.

“Being able to access the services Maximus provide will help with employee’s mental health and wellbeing, improve attendance at work which in turn will improve our service to customers.

“We care about our colleagues, and we understand that people perform better if their mental wellbeing is looked after.

“We also know that challenges outside of work can sometimes impact work, so we want to support our colleagues the best way we can and if that involves having additional help to hand, we will.”

The partnership gives SLT employees independent access to mental health support, complementing their existing internal resources such as wellbeing champions, mental health first aiders and SLT’s involvement with Thrive at Work.

Gemma continued: “The benefits are already being felt with improvements in staff morale, attendance and overall wellbeing, enhancing the service we provide to the community.

“We welcome the partnership with Maximus as a valuable resource to our employees.”

Clive Thomas, partnership lead at Maximus, said: “I feel privileged to be able to talk about the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service.

“From the conversations I’ve already had with SLT employees, it’s apparent that the support our service offers is welcomed.”