TWO TEAM members at a leading Somerset waste management company have qualified as Mental Health First Aiders (May 2023).

S Roberts Group’s Office Manager, Natasha Butcher and Director, Vicky Owens, whose grandfather started the business, have pledged to have an ‘open-door policy’ regarding wellbeing.

Natasha says: “It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week (May 15-21) so we thought it was the perfect timing to make our announcement. Thanks to our training from Optimise Workplace Wellbeing we’re now both competent and confident workplace first aiders who can spot the signs and respond to the health needs of someone experiencing an issue.

“Here at Roberts, we are passionate about wellbeing. We have an open-door policy and we welcome any wellbeing discussions and/or suggestions. We’re both here to help and support our colleagues and we don’t want anyone to struggle. We want everyone onsite to feel they can reach out and talk to us, as a problem shared is a problem halved.”

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure employees have a safe working environment and must take reasonable care to prevent workplace personal injuries, including mental harm.

Natasha adds: “We’re now able to recognise the early signs and symptoms of common workplace mental health illnesses. We also have the necessary skills to have a supportive, non-judgmental conversation with those who need it and possess the knowledge and confidence to guide colleagues to the appropriate professional support, if they require it. Our role also covers promoting greater awareness of mental health in the workplace and reducing stigma.”

Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK experience mental ill health every year and millions of UK workdays are lost due to mental illness, according to the Office for National Statistics.

S Roberts Group’s wealth of experience spans more than 90 years. It’s one of the South West’s leading waste management companies. It provides specialist industry and geographical knowledge to advise commercial and domestic clients on the best possible waste solutions.

Based in Bridgwater, Somerset, the third-generation firm is run by Vicky and her sister Beccy Roberts, who took over the business from their father, Terry, in 2004.

The dedicated and friendly team work closely in partnership with clients to ensure health and safety standards are maintained and to deliver an efficient and environmentally conscious service.

S Roberts Group holds its environmental considerations and solutions at the core of its business and adheres to these when advising and making decisions on the management of waste, resources, emissions and transport.

S Roberts Group also offers skip, tipper and plant hire, bulk earth moving, grab hire, recycled aggregates and demolition services for domestic and commercial clients across the South West.

For further details, please call 01278 422521 or visit www.srobertsandson.co.uk.