Wolverhampton Wanderers and Paycare team up to support colleague wellbeing

Wolverhampton Wanderers staff looking after the wellbeing of their colleagues have undertaken specialist mental health training.

A total of 11 Wolves staff have been trained by Kerry B Mitchell, Wellbeing Manager at Paycare – also based in the city. They undertook a two-day course accredited by Mental Health First Aid England, which included information about different types of mental ill health, dealing with a crisis, starting conversations around wellbeing, and signposting to relevant organisations.

Executive Assistant Lin Kennings explained when the pandemic began, a Care Team (now part of the Wolves We Care programme) was formed, each supporting a group of colleagues through regular phone calls. As they were planning how to evolve their workplace wellbeing support going forward, Lin attended one of the monthly free e-clinics run by Kerry which piqued her interest in exploring the training courses offered by Paycare.

She said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Kerry, she was able to make the course relevant and interesting for the 11 different people taking part across two groups, so it resonated with everyone. Attending the e-clinic where Papyrus was speaking highlighted that we don’t all need to know everything, but there are so many organisations out there – each with their own area of specialist knowledge – who we can signpost to if needed.

“People have built up genuine relationships and trust during the last year, and learning from Kerry means we can all be confident in the support we’re providing to our colleagues.”

Kerry added: “The Wolves staff were amazing and really engaged with the course, sharing some of their experiences around mental health. It’s fantastic to see such a prominent local employer taking wellbeing so seriously – they’re an example not just to other sports clubs but to all companies.

“By showing how conversations about mental health in the workplace are to be welcomed, not shied away from, I’m sure these Mental Health First Aiders will inspire Wolves staff and the wider community to talk more openly about their own wellbeing.”

The club has also been supporting the Heads Up initiative launched by HRH The Duke of Cambridge and the FA in a bid to get football players and fans talking about their mental health, with representatives from the Wolves Foundation even meeting Prince William as part of the campaign.

To find out more about Workplace Wellbeing, visit www.paycare.org/workplace-wellbeing/