MHFA England

The Vision

MHFA vision is to normalise society’s attitudes and behaviours around mental health, by developing the skills we need to look after our own and others’ wellbeing.

MHFA Mission

MHFA are on a mission to train one in ten of the population in England in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) skills – because we all have mental health. Mental health education empowers people to care for themselves and others. By reducing stigma through understanding, we hope to break down barriers to the support that people may need to stay well, recover, or manage their symptoms – to thrive in learning, work and life.

A staff workshop was held on Wednesday 12th October 2018 at Poppy Building, Clerkenwell, London. During the session participants were encouraged to explore and describe their opinions of the current MHFA work environment and explain which elements have the biggest impact on their day to day function. During interactive sessions the participants were able to describe their likes, wants and desires for their future work environment through written word and image selection.

When discussing the likes and dislikes of the current office area it became apparent that generally all staff are unhappy with the majority of work settings available to them. It was felt that certain enhancements would make their worklife a more productive and enjoyable experience. Key to this would be the introduction of more quiet focus areas and a centralised bar / kitchen breakout and enhanced service and refreshment provision. It was felt that the office is currently too messy and cluttered and that some of the products being used were not right for their function. There was also a request that lighting throughout the office be set to create appropriate moods in the right areas and that I.T. and power provision be amended to suit function and location too.

A workplace survey and anonymous questionnaire were undertaken with the entire staff and a report produced that echoed the findings of the project team workshop. Utilising the findings HabitAction Designer, Kirsty Oldfield, produced a dynamic and flexible scheme to enhance the MHFA England work experience.

Breakout and Collaboration Zone