Mental Health First Aid for Work-based Learning Providers (South West)

The project aims to test out and use Mental Health First Aid as a means to raise awareness of mental health in private, LSC funded work-based learning provision. These providers were identified by the South West Partnership as having the greatest need for increased awareness of the support needs of learners with mental health difficulties.

The first step was to secure funding for the cost of the instructor training.  This was secured from the South West LSC Equality and Diversity budget.  An invitation was sent out to providers across the region to apply for funded places.  Following selection, candidates then apply for a place on the specified instructor training course in the South West with Mental Health First Aid England.  Participation in the project is organized, supported, monitored and evaluated by the South West Project Officer.

The project will benefit all staff, learners and employers involved in the provision of those providers involved in the project by raising awareness of mental health throughout the organization.

5 staff from WBL providers undertook the instructor training in Oct/Nov 2009 and 5 more will do the training in January/February 2010.

On completion of the project NIACE will submit an evaluation report to the South West Learning and Skills Council.

An increase in awareness of mental health issues within work-based learning provision and the potential for this to become embedded in support processes. The providers will also be encouraged to involve the employers they are involved with to increase opportunities for trainees to also get effective support in the workplace.

Lin Westmoreland
Regional Project Officer: Mental Health and Learning, South West Region
lin.westmoreland@niace.org.uk
+44 (0) 7917 507 487
NIACE
21 De Montfort Street
Leicester
LE1 7GE