Chamber updates Mental Health Charter

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce has updated its Mental Health Charter as part of an ongoing commitment to creating workplaces where employee wellbeing is actively supported and prioritised.

Patron members were among the first to sign the newly-drafted charter, which sets out a collective commitment to improving mental health and wellbeing in businesses across all parts of the county.

It says: “This is our commitment to create a culture where openness replaces stigma, compassion replaces silence, and every person feels seen, supported and empowered to thrive.

“Our pledge is to create a workplace where people thrive, talk openly without stigma, provide the right support at the right time, and build a culture of respect, inclusion and understanding.”

Every company which signs up to the new charter receives a certificate of recognition. In return, they pledge to adopt key principles including:

• Implementing or reviewing wellbeing policies
• Providing mental health training
• Setting up peer support or mental health champions
• Regularly reviewing workload and workplace pressures

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce first launched a Mental Health Charter in 2021 to recognise employers who are going the extra mile to look after the welfare of their staff.

The new document focuses in more detail on how companies can embed and ensure mental health is a core business priority, build a culture where stigma is actively challenged, and ensure support is accessible, visible and responsive.

Ruth Ross, chief executive of Shropshire Chamber, said: “We believe that great businesses are built by people who feel supported, valued and well. This is about creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up.

“Good mental health is not a ‘nice to have’, it is fundamental to how businesses function, how teams perform, and how people feel when they come to work.

“Particularly in the years since the pandemic, we have seen just how vital it is for employers to create environments where staff feel supported, understood and able to speak openly about their wellbeing.”

She said the charter had been designed to give organisations a clear, practical framework they can adopt straight away.

“Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for employers to engage with the mental health agenda. We know that many employees are carrying emotional and psychological pressures. Employers have a crucial role to play in recognising this and responding with empathy, flexibility and proactive support.

“The charter is a way of encouraging that positive leadership and celebrating those who are already going the extra mile.”

For more details on the charter, and the Chamber’s mental health and wellbeing support, see www.shropshire-chamber.co.uk/policy-insights/mental-health-charter

Pictured: Patron members of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce sign the new Mental Health Charter