Foyle Port Supporting Positive Mental

(L-R) Bridie Kelly, Corporate Relationship Officer, AWARE; Lynette McKinney, Head of HR, Foyle Port; and Una Wilson, Equality Officer, Equality NI.

Foyle Port Supporting Positive Mental Health in the Workplace

Foyle Port has been announced as the latest signatory of the Mental Health Charter, joining over 200 businesses and employers across Northern Ireland committed to ensuring good mental health for their employees, local communities, and service users.

As the marine gateway to the North West, Foyle Port plays a vital role in the regional economy, handling approximately 2 million tonnes of cargo per year with an estimated value of over £1 billion. As one of the most prominent employers and most recognisable institutions in the North West, Foyle Port has decided to sign up to the Charter.

“I am delighted to confirm that Foyle Port has signed up to the Mental Health Charter which is an important initiative led by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland,” said Foyle Port Chief Executive Brian McGrath. “The pandemic has been tough on everyone in the workplace and wellbeing, mental health, and mindfulness must become more than

buzzwords for employers and businesses, and must be used to bring real, tangible benefits for workers.”

The Mental Health Charter is jointly produced by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Action Mental Health, AWARE NI, Change Your Mind, Disability Action, Mindwise, Mental Health Foundation, Inspire, Health & Safety Executive NI, Labour Relations Agency, and Business in the Community and provides a framework for working towards mentally healthy workplaces.

The signing of the Charter is a voluntary commitment by Foyle Port to look after and acknowledge the mental health and wellbeing of its employees. By signing up to the Charter, organisations work towards putting five Charter Commitments in place. These commitments include:

• Creating an open and inclusive workplace culture which displays respect for those with mental ill health. • Promoting equality of opportunity and challenging discrimination in the workplace. • Promoting equality of opportunity in recruitment and selection for those with mental ill health. • Identifying and providing sources of information and support regarding mental ill health. • Adopting Every Customer Counts recommendations – working towards taking positive steps to make services accessible to people with mental ill health.

“Over the past 12 months, Foyle Port has made a number of efforts to achieve the measures outlined in the Charter and we’ve been working hard to create a more open and inclusive workplace,” explains Brian. “We’ve created a new mental health policy to support and guide our colleagues. We’ve been providing Mental Health First Aid training and we’re delighted to now have four fully trained Mental Health First Aiders. We have reviewed our recruitment and selection policies to ensure equality of opportunity and flexible working for those with disabilities. And we continue to provide ongoing support for managers and volunteers through proactive training and workshops.”

As well as being a signatory of the Mental Health Charter, Foyle Port is also a corporate partner of AWARE, the depression charity for Northern Ireland, and one of the Mental Health Charter partners. “Our relationship with Foyle Port has been an excellent way to deliver crucial workshops to employees and give them the tools and techniques to reduce their stress and anxiety in the workplace. We’re very pleased to see the organisation now sign up to the Mental Health Charter as well, a further indication of its commitment to its staff in challenging times,” said Bridie Kelly, corporate relationship officer at AWARE.

“The Mental Health Charter is really important as it gives us the framework to properly support our colleagues, spot the signs of mental ill health, intervene earlier, and ensure that everyone in the workplace feels safe, secure, and welcome,” says Brian.

“We are really pleased Foyle Port has signed the Mental Health Charter,” added Dr Evelyn Collins, chief executive, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. “This is a vital document for employers of all sizes but even more important for larger ones. The past two years have been difficult for all of us and the impact on our collective mental health should not be underestimated. More than 200 businesses and organisations across Northern Ireland are using the Charter to take proactive and progressive steps to support their staff and helping to create a more open and inclusive workplace culture. The Charter includes important commitments to equality of opportunity and challenging discrimination in the workplace, and we hope to welcome more employers to the Charter in future.”

AWARE NI facilitator Stephen McCrudden with Foyle Port staff members Mickey Mooney, Michael Hannon, and Shane Lynch.