The people and culture department at Tong Garden Centre has recruited a team of mental health first aiders from its staff.

Fourteen employees from Tong attended a two-day Mental Health First Aider course to equip them with an understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect wellbeing in the workplace.

The delegates, including representatives from Grass Hoppers Play, Hearty's Food Hall and retail and catering teams at all managerial levels, learned practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues and were taught how to support a person in distress and guide them to further support.

Tong's Head of People and Culture, Neil Barwise-Carr was one of the delegates: "We all have mental health. Better mental health is good for everyone and recognising this is good for society.

"At Tong Garden Centre, we want to develop a team where everyone can thrive and where mental health can be openly discussed and supported. The first step on this journey is to train up a team of  mental health first aiders who will raise the profile of mental health among their peers.

"We're proud that so many of our team members volunteered for the training and we're excited about the contribution that they will make to positive mental health at Tong."

The training, organised by MHFA England, was part of the Tong Lane business's commitment to their own ‘healthy minds' campaign which links into a number of health and well-being initiatives. Going forward, the team of Mental Health First Aiders will meet quarterly to check in on each other and complete an anonymous survey to capture the impact the first aides are having across the business.