Mental Health First Aiders

We are here to help.
You are not alone.

Supporting your Mental Health

We are on a journey to ensure we fully support and encourage our employees to look after their mental health and well-being, and remove any barriers to achieve this. For all of us here at Fair Ways, it’s a given that mental ill-health needs to be addressed, not just in the short-term, but the long-term too. It doesn’t just affect one individual, it affects us all which is why we are investing more than ever in this area. We want our employees to feel safe, not only among their peers but within the workplace too. Our dedication represents our belief that mental health need not be stigmatised but embraced.

The role of a Mental Health First Aider at Fair Ways is to be a point of contact for all our employees who are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. This interaction could range from having an initial conversation, to supporting the person to get appropriate help. As well as in a crisis, our Mental Health First Aiders are valuable in providing early intervention help for someone that may be developing a mental health issue.

Mental Health First Aiders are not trained to be therapists or psychiatrists but they can offer initial support through non-judgemental listening and guidance.

Mental Health First Aiders are trained to

Spot the early signs and symptoms of mental ill health

Start a supportive conversation with a colleague who may be experiencing a mental health issue or emotional destress

Assess the risk of suicide or self-harm

Encourage the person to access appropriate professional support or self-help strategies

Escalate to the appropriate emergency services, if necessary

Maintain confidentiality as appropriate

Protect themselves while performing their role

Sonia Read

Department: HR

Rosie Barnard

Department: Marketing

Charlotte McKearnon

Department: Education

Abbie Harding

Department: Fostering
Abbie is currently on long term leave, please contact another representative

Laura Rowe

Department: Education

Danielle Cheyney

Department: Education
Danielle is currently on long term leave, please contact another representative

Holly-Anne Haddow

Department: Residential

Nicola Webb

Department: Multi-Site

Naomi Kemp

Department: HR

Chelsie Stickler

Department: Education

Doreen Makrani

Department: Portchester

MHFA: First Aiders in Action

Everyone, in every industry, can suffer from mental illness. We are taking proactive steps to offer support, advice and guidance to those in Fair Ways who require help.

Just About Coping Podcast

How can we create a world where everyone is coping? Introducing Just About Coping, a new podcast looking at the future of mental health and wellbeing. Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England Simon Blake OBE will be joined by a series of fantastic guests to try and answer this very question.

Join us on our journey as we imagine what a mentally healthy world might look.

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