TO RAISE awareness about mental health issues, Premier Foods’ Ambrosia factory in Lifton, was involved in a number of activities to mark World Mental Health Day recently.

The factory is also championing being open about mental health issues in the work place as Premier Foods signed the ‘Time to Change’ pledge. 

Time to Change is the growing social movement run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, which both support people with opening up to discuss mental health problems.  

As well as supporting the signing of the pledge, the Ambrosia factory contributed to raising a total of £2,000 for mental health charity Mind through a number of events including a lunch time health walk, a cake sale and wearing purple clothes and hair nets while working on the production lines.

Premier Foods chief executive Gavin Darby and human resources and communications director David Wilkinson demonstrated the organisation’s support by signing the pledge. In doing so, the company is committing to changing the way people can think and act about mental health in the workplace, by breaking the silence and stigma. 

Mr Darby said: “I’m proud to join over 800 organisations in signing the Time to Change pledge and show that Premier Foods is committed to tackling the stigma and making our business a place to talk openly about mental health. 

“By signing the pledge we’re not only committing to changing how we think and act about mental health in the workplace, but we’re also uniting our colleagues to create an environment of openness, upskilling our workforce and providing support for those who need it.”  

Mr Wilkinson said: “We’re committed to creating a great place to work. By signing the pledge we’re showing that we live our values and respect and encourage one another, enabling everyone to do their best without judgement or discrimination.   

“Our colleagues chose Mind as our corporate charity partner and we’ll continue to work together to help signpost colleagues to support services, speak openly about mental health and boost colleague wellbeing across our business.” 

Jo Loughran, director of Time to Change, said: “We know it can be hard to talk about mental health, which is why we’re supporting employers to open up; to talk and to listen. Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel isolated, ashamed and worthless, but with the right support, those of us with mental health problems can recover and have equal opportunities in all areas of life. Everyone’s attitude makes a difference and it’s fantastic to see organisations like Premier Foods taking the lead.”