The Duke of Cambridge visits Engine Shed to launch Mental Health at Work programme

  • On Tuesday 11th September, the Duke of Cambridge launched Mental Health at Work in conjunction with Mind
  • Engine Shed hosted the launch, which was attended by 100 invited guests from UK businesses
  • Attendees took part in workshops to experience the programme, and better understand the importance of wellbeing in the workplace

On Tuesday 11th September, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, visited Engine Shed to launch Mental Health at Work a joint campaign between two national charities, Mind and Heads Together.

Mental Health at Work aims to change perceptions of mental health by challenging stigmas, contextualising the meaning of mental wellbeing in the workplace, and highlighting the need for increased access to support services for employees.

Engine Shed was selected by the Royal Foundation to host the launch event, where around 100 attendees, including 50 local businesses and Lloyds Bank CEO, António Horta Osório, took part in workshops to experience the Mental Health at Work gateway first hand.

Nick Sturge, Director of Engine Shed, said:

“We are delighted to host the Duke of Cambridge, António Horta Osório and other distinguished business leaders. We applaud the work that they and the Royal Foundation are doing to support mental health in the work place. Engine Shed shares the vision to promote wellbeing at work, and this sentiment is evident in our own work. We think it is particularly important for leaders of organisations to take this matter seriously and nurture a culture of awareness and support as an important part of raising productivity.”

Bristol organisations were invited to the launch, with Claire Buchanan and Guy Orpen from the University of Bristol, Andrea Comblehome from Business West, and BOXWORKS tenants, Webb Yates Engineers included in the audience. They attended workshops and talks which explained the work companies such as ACAS and the Federation of Small Businesses are already doing to promote positive mental health at work.

Lorraine Heggessey, Chief Executive of the Royal Foundation said:

“We’re currently standing in a venue that is not only an incredible tribute to Brunel and Britain’s hard working industrial heritage, but is also a great example of modern ingenuity and forward thinking… It’s a perfect place to be launching a new programme of support for Britain’s workers.”

One in six British workers are affected by mental health issues, but only 2% take action or discuss their issues at work. Engine Shed is an active proponent of new ways to work, and understanding that the core delivery of these workspaces is dependent on people.

Innovations in technology and workspaces need to be resilient, and for a business to succeed, its workers must be resilient too. Therefore it is important to employers and employees to prioritise one another’s wellbeing to ensure a happy and healthy workforce.

More information on the work Engine Shed is doing to promote a sustainable and inclusive workforce for the future can be found here.