Eight individuals, teams and organisations win prestigious awards ahead of Men’s Health Week.
Ahead of Men’s Health Week (10-16 June) four organisations and four individuals were recognised during a gala dinner on Friday 7 June 2024 for their commitment and hard work in establishing and maintaining a positive approach to mental health and wellbeing in their own workplaces and across their sectors.
The awards, organised by mental health charity Mates in Mind, celebrate excellence and provide examples of impactful practices that other organisations can employ to create positive mental health in and through work.
The Wiles Award (Individual)
The Wiles Award is given by the Wiles family in memory of Chris who worked in construction for 30 years. In 2019, he took his own life. This award recognises those who go above and beyond in their efforts to help others. It recognises their campaigning to save lives by raising awareness of mental health issues that can be caused by stress at work.
Winner: Logan Price, MPB Structures:
“It is a privilege to be nominated for such an award as I know first-hand how debilitating Mental Health can be for an individual. I'm pleased to be considered for something that, I feel, is part of what defines me as a person. However, winning this award doesn’t satisfy my desire to have an impact on Mental Health in the Construction Industry and beyond. My personal focus is very much on my Matterhorn challenge and how I can maximise the outcome for Get Construction Talking/ related charities.”
Highly Recommended: Tracy Williams, Mace
Mates in Mind Champion Award
The Champion* Award is open to large organisations and projects that have shown inspirational leadership and commitment to improving understanding and support for mental health amongst its workforce, wider supply chain as well as across their sector.
Winner: ADT Workplace
“We take pride in supporting our workforce, however navigating through human emotions can be challenging. To be honoured with a Mates in Mind Award is incredible. This external recognition from Mates in Mind supports us on our journey to make the workplace a safer environment for everyone and enables us to keep making the changes needed in our industry”. Kris Kelly, ADT Workplace
Best New Supporter Engagement Award
This Impact Award is open to new Supporter organisations (i.e., organisations which became a Mates in Mind Supporter in the past 12 months). Organisations must demonstrate how they used the Mates in Mind framework to make significant improvements and commitment to improving mental wellbeing in their workforce.
Winner: Danaher & Walsh Civil Engineering
“Winning this national award means the absolute world to us, particularly because it demonstrates that even a smaller business can do amazing things to support their workforce and ensure that their mental health and well-being is prioritised. In the last six months or so we have put a huge amount of effort into enhancing our mental health and well-being provision at our SME civil engineering business and we are delighted that this has been recognised. Thank you.” Joanne Wilson, Wellbeing Team Lead
Highly Recommended: DSM-Firmenich / Baker Hicks
Best Workplace Mental Health Team Award
This Impact Award is open to mental health teams from SMEs to large organisations and projects who have improved understanding and mental health support amongst its workforce as well across their industry more broadly.
Winner: ADT Workplace
Highly Recommended: Jones Bros Civil Engineering Ltd
Best Mates in Mind Fundraising Initiative
This award recognises an organisation or individual that has carried out an outstanding fundraising activity and achievements whilst continuing to promote the Mates in Mind mission.
Winner: Gary Evans, Keller UK who walked up, and down, Ben Nevis whilst wearing a 15kg weight vest (read the full story). On winning the award Gary said:
“Being shortlisted for the ‘Mates in Mind, Impact Awards Presentations’ holds great significance for both me and Keller UK. It is a recognition of our efforts, a validation of our commitment to mental health, and an opportunity to inspire and influence positive change within the construction industry. We are deeply honoured and grateful for this acknowledgment and remain dedicated to continuing our work in raising awareness and supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace.”
Highly Recommended: Sean Johnson who undertook a 101-day, 1,257 mile walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats. You can read the full story).
Sam Downie, Managing Director, Mates in Mind said, “Congratulations to the organisations and individuals who were recognised during the seventh Impact Awards ceremony for the exceptional work they are doing to build positive mental health in and through work. Our heartfelt thanks go to all our Supporters and award entrants for their commitment to making work good for mental health. Our thanks also go to Balfour Beatty for sponsoring the trophies and to our sister charity, British Safety Council, for sharing their gala dinner and awards ceremony with us”.
* Mates in Mind Champions are organisations which demonstrate excellence in creating positive mental health in and through work. Starting within their own organisation, they are now extending their exemplary practice to their supply chains by sponsoring Supporter Lite places. Supporter Lite is a programme aimed at SMEs and sole traders who would otherwise be unable to afford to engage with wellbeing programmes.
