GWR Signs Up For New Mental Health Charter

One of our local railway company's Great Western Railway (GWR) has committed to supporting their colleagues in their mental health issues.

The charter is a framework designed to help all rail companies to manage and support the mental wellbeing of their employees.

GWR Customer Service & Operations Director Richard Rowland said: "This is important because it underlines to all our colleagues - everyone from drivers to gateline staff, managers and apprentices and engineers to administrator - that we are committed to their well-being and they know that support is available should they need."

The charter was developed by Lee Woolcott-Ellis, Mental Health Lead Manager at Southeastern Railway, in collaboration with the Rail Safety and Standards (RSSB) and the Mental Wellbeing Group.

The charter aims to:

* encourage all member workplaces to engage with and embrace the mental health agenda.

* support rail companies in preventing and addressing mental ill health, including the effective management of stress in the workplace.

* make good practice and information readily and freely available to member organisations.

* support the industry in taking a proactive approach to end mental health stigma, get conversations underway and create an open and inclusive culture where all colleagues know where and when to ask for support.

Signed up: GWR colleagues with a poster committing to The Railway Mental Health Charter. Left to right, Head of Stations James Adeshiyan; Employee Director Sally Bennett; Head of Drivers Andrew Penrose; Human Resources Director Ruth Busby; Customer Service & Operations Director Richard Rowland; Head of Wellbeing Nicola Hide; Head of On Board David Crome; and Wellbeing Manager Lucy Shephard