Pillar of strength
Thanks to the success of our new ‘Health and wellbeing ambassador’ online learning portal in June, we now have 430 health and wellbeing ambassadors across the business.
Our team of ‘volunteer’ health and wellbeing ambassadors covers every area of the business and includes frontline colleagues, unit managers, health and safety reps and first aiders. It is their job to provide information and signpost colleagues to the support and assistance that is available to anyone who needs help or guidance on mental or physical health issues.
Today, one of our health and wellbeing ambassadors, Kidderminster postman of 19 years, Peter Thompson (pictured, left) tells us more about his role.
‘I try to make myself as visible and accessible as possible and am available to colleagues from whatever level for any issues they may want to discuss. I have openly described my role by explaining that I offer the same levels of confidentiality, and non-judgementalism as I would offer a client in my practice. It’s my job to win the trust of anyone who wants to seek help from me.
‘To date, I have helped colleagues, by either pointing them in the right direction for assistance, such as via the Feeling First Class Support resources or by helping them myself simply by listening. My passion is mental health awareness and how we can improve it proactively. This comes from both my work outside of Royal Mail and the fact that I have personally experienced severe anxiety and depression, resulting in two breakdowns over 20 years.
‘I choose to use my role as my main weapon to fight against the stigma so often associated with mental health issues. I strive to promote healthy and open discussion about mental health at all times, and I also try to raise awareness that each of us can be guilty at times of underappreciating other people’s circumstances.
‘I am always amazed at how little colleagues know about the resources Royal Mail offers to help with mental and physical health issues as well as financial support, such as via the Rowland Hill Fund. I’m very pleased with how I recently helped a colleague from an office outside of our region, who needed financial guidance and assistance. The difference the Rowland Hill Fund has made to that person’s circumstances will be life-changing.
‘I currently run a food-bank appeal within our office to help colleagues and their families, who have been adversely affected by the pandemic. We also run a number of campaigns to raise awareness of various charities, illnesses, and issues, such as dementia, domestic violence, and bereavement. I post information about all of these campaigns on my noticeboard as well as my Facebook page (Health and Wellbeing Kiddy Royal Mail).'
The learning to become a health and wellbeing ambassador is available to complete at all times on a self-service basis via PSP/SuccessFactors (titled 'Health and wellbeing ambassador learning').
Colleagues who believe they have the required skills should seek line manager authorisation before completing the online learning. To help with the fair distribution of ambassadors across the business, access to the ambassador programme and portal will only be given four times each year, during January, April, July and October. The next point at which new ambassadors will be accepted is in October.
Frontline colleagues will be given priority and access may not be possible where units already have existing ambassadors in place. Please speak to your manager about how to apply.
