Scaffolders’ mental health campaign to train 250 first aiders

Image supplied by NASC

The National Access & Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has set aside £30,000 to train mental health first aiders, as it tries to break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

The pot was set up as part of the NASC’s Head for Heights campaign, which focuses on employee wellbeing in the workplace. 

Recent activities include the creation of SG38:19, a free go-to guidance on mental health and wellbeing that provides employers with proactive steps they can take to improve wellbeing in the workplace as well as a host of useful links and services that they can signpost their employees to, and a mental health-focused toolbox talk.

Lynn Way, NASC president, said: “The £30,000 funding pot will help pay for nearly 250 NASC member employees to complete a mental health first aid course. This will go a long way to improving awareness and understanding of mental health and wellbeing issues in the workplace and enable NASC members to better support their employees if and when they need to.

“The Head for Heights campaign has been incredibly well-received by NASC members, who are as keen to do more to support anyone in the industry who’s dealing with a mental health challenge. There’s much more to come from us on this front in the year ahead.”

There are currently four mental health first aid training courses covered by the £30,000 funding pot. These are offered by MHFA England, St John Ambulance, 3B Training and the British Safety Council.

The creation of this fund comes just a month after the NASC launched a £150,000 fund dedicated to training and upskilling former servicemen. The NASC also provides members with financial support for the completion of CISRS Operative Training Scheme (COTS) and continuing professional development (CPD) training. 

Cumulatively, NASC funding totalling £280,000 is currently available to members to subsidise the cost of training.