Change Mental Health is partnering with renewable energy company Drax to embed mental health learning into the workplace, while building resilience of workers in rural locations across Scotland.

The mental health training team will work with Drax staff over the next year at Cruachan Power Station near Oban, helping isolated teams who may need to strengthen connection, community while opening up opportunities for peer support.

It will enable employees and contractors to develop the knowledge, skills and practical tools to support them to look after both their own and their colleagues’ wellbeing.

Bespoke training will be delivered through quarterly learning workshops. These cover a range of topics such as understanding and managing stress, how to build resilience and support others, and avoiding burnout and finding balance. Review checkpoints will be completed to understand how learning is resonating with rural Drax employees.

Drax employees who benefit from the training will also receive a range of training materials and learning assets to make their learning stick and stand the test of time.

Jonny Cobbold, Director of Development at Change Mental Health, said:

“This new partnership with Drax is an opportunity to change attitudes and tackle stigma, ensuring that isolated and/or lone workers have the tools to look after themselves, those around them, and develop cultures that actively promote and build mental health and wellbeing.

“We’re delighted and honoured that Drax has chosen to work with us. We have been consistently impressed with the importance they place on employee health and wellbeing.”

“Change Mental Health has spent over 50 years supporting individuals, families and communities across Scotland. Support will always be at the heart of what we do and we look forward to spending the next year supporting Drax and their team to have the tools they need to thrive at work.”

It is an incredibly busy time at the Cruachan Power Station, with Drax progressing an £80 million upgrade and refurbishment to the plant. Contractors from as far away as Guyana and India are on site supporting the project, bringing additional wellbeing challenges of working away from home and their families in rural Scotland.

Ian Kinnaird, Drax’s FlexGen Assets Director, said:

“We are proud to partner with Change Mental Health to bring the very best in wellbeing support to our colleagues at Cruachan Power Station.  A career in the energy sector often means pressure to meet deadlines and targets, unusual working hours, and other challenges. Many of our contracting partners are working far away from home without their families, which can of course lead to feeling isolated or lonely.

“Drax recognises that supporting our colleagues’ mental health is just as important as their physical health. This new partnership will give our employees and contractors practical tools to support their own wellbeing as well as their colleagues.”