Law firm invests in new workforce wellness initiative
Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) have rolled out a new mental health support program to its team of lawyers and support staff across the North West.
The company, which has eight offices in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, has expanded its employee mental health offering by partnering with private mental health care company RJ8.
Support includes access to 24-hour helplines for its 105-person team in emergencies, as well as private face-to-face counseling sessions to help address ongoing issues.
Counseling and therapy services will be provided by professionals registered with the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy (BACP) – the highest counseling qualification available in the UK – to ensure that staff receive the best possible support.
The provision does not only cover mental health needs, but also extends to legal services, debt advice, family counseling and management advice.
The move, which underscores WHN’s commitment to staff wellbeing, also includes mental health workshops to form a team of internal mental health ambassadors who will help lead wellbeing initiatives and creating a positive mental health culture throughout the company.
Michael Shroot, CEO of WHN Solicitors, pictured signing the mental health contract with Rebecca Jane, Managing Director of RJ8, said: ‘Our team is at the heart of what we do here at WHN, so investing in their good being and their happiness is incredibly important to us.
“We are proud to partner with RJ8 to offer all of our staff a private mental health care policy that will help encourage positive mental health among our workforce. It will be invaluable to our employees and allow them to learn new techniques and build on existing skills to better manage their mental well-being.
“A new team of Wellness Mental Health Ambassadors will be at the heart of this new program – offering informal one-on-one peer support for those looking to manage symptoms in the office, while a range of services with fully trained professional staff, including therapy, will provide staff with the confidential support they need to prevent mental health issues from escalating.
Rebecca Jane added: “From the moment we met the Woodcocks Howarth and Nuttall teams, we knew the partnership was perfect for RJ8. This dynamic and passionate law firm has a real dedication to supporting the mental health of its employees.
“It was clear from the start that they wanted a comprehensive structure to support their staff and accepted all the recommendations we put in place. As a result, RJ8 not only takes care of company employees, but also their families. Good mental health doesn’t just start and end with the employee. »
WHN has offices in Accrington, Bacup, Blackburn, Great Harwood, Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Clitheroe.
