How Portakabin successfully re-engaged their Mental Health First Aid network
Lara
Wrote this on, December 20, 2024
(left to right: Beth Hodgkinson, Amy Woollard, Gavin Brooks & David Ferrer)
Known for their innovative modular building solutions, Portakabin is also setting the standard for employee wellbeing. With a workforce spanning offices, manufacturing sites, and remote locations, they recognised the importance of a proactive approach to mental health. By partnering with Everymind at Work, they have transformed their Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) network, revitalised their workplace wellbeing strategy, and created a culture of care that benefits everyone.
We spoke to Amy Woollard, Senior HR Business Partner & Wellbeing Lead, and Beth Hodgkinson, HR Graduate & Mental Health First Aid Lead, about how this partnership has helped Portakabin address key challenges and make wellbeing a priority across their organisation.
The key numbers:
- Since partnering with Everymind, they’ve seen a 25% increase in MHFA engagement since relaunching the network
- Supporting over 2,000 employees across 30+ locations
- Proactive wellbeing initiatives tailored to a male-dominated workforce
This partnership has shown us the power of supporting the supporters… It’s not just about addressing challenges but about building a proactive culture where employees feel cared for and connected.
– Amy Woollard, Senior HR Business Partner & Wellbeing Lead
Why Portakabin needed to build a culture of wellbeing
Portakabin faced unique challenges in supporting their workforce. With a male-dominated demographic split between manufacturing and office roles, they had to overcome communication gaps, stigma around mental health, and a disengaged MHFA network.
“The MHFA network was well-established, but it had lost its way,” shared Amy Woollard, Senior HR Business Partner & Wellbeing Lead. “Some MHFAs were still trying to deliver support, but they didn’t have the development or opportunities to connect as a network. Over time, this left gaps in our approach, where people felt unsupported, and there was a risk of boundaries being overstepped.”
The collaboration with Everymind proved invaluable in addressing these challenges, offering guidance and tools to rebuild the network and adapt their approach.
Empowering the MHFA network
Since taking on responsibility for the MHFA network in April, Beth Hodgkinson has been at the heart of driving engagement. For Beth, Everymind’s tools and resources were pivotal in building momentum and ensuring the network felt equipped to fulfil their roles, including the support provided through Jo McDonnell, Wellbeing Business Consultant for Portakabin.
Reflecting on the strength of the partnership, Amy shared “We just feel that Jo is a part of our team and if we have something that we need a bit of extra advice on… We know that she’ll get back to us and give us that support and advice straight away.” She added “You don’t feel like it’s a big corporate entity… you feel that human touch.”
“The monthly reminders and resources have been vital in getting people back into the habit of logging conversations and feeling part of the network,” Beth explained. “It’s made such a difference in ensuring we know what’s happening on the ground and can tailor our resources to meet real needs.”
Continuous training and upskilling sessions played a critical role in rebuilding the network’s confidence. Everymind delivered monthly development sessions on a variety of topics, equipping MHFAs with the tools they needed to handle a range of situations. Beth added,
These sessions have been invaluable. They not only boost our confidence in handling complex conversations but also help us feel supported in our roles. The insights we gain from these sessions are practical and immediately applicable.
Breaking down barriers to mental health support
For a male-dominated workforce, stigma around mental health can be a significant barrier. Portakabin worked with Everymind to create targeted initiatives that encouraged open conversations and fostered trust.
One standout example was the integration of mental health webinars into “Safety stand-down weeks.” These events, where manufacturing paused to focus on health and safety, created space for employees to engage with wellbeing content without distractions.
“These webinars have been particularly impactful,” said Amy. “We’ve been able to make mental health part of the conversation during these safety weeks, ensuring everyone is off the tools and able to fully engage. The content Everymind provides is interactive and practical, which makes it relatable to everyone.”
These targeted efforts have made a real difference, particularly in encouraging men to engage with wellbeing initiatives and seek support when needed.
Supporting the supporters wasn’t optional
A critical focus of Portakabin’s wellbeing strategy is ensuring their MHFAiders feel supported in their roles. This approach recognises the emotional toll of supporting others and the importance of safeguarding the mental health of those on the front line.
David Ferrer, an MHFA and Health, Safety & Environment Business Partner, explained how this support has helped him navigate challenging conversations: “Sometimes the conversations we have are very emotional, and it’s important to have resources to ground yourself. Knowing I can look for support for others and also get support for myself gives me peace of mind that I’m doing my best for people.”
We also heard from Gavin Brooks, an MHFA and Production Team Leader at Portakabin, who shared “Knowing I have a place where not only can I look for support for others but also get support for myself gives me that extra peace of mind that I can do my best for people.”
Amy highlighted the importance of this dual support:
Everymind doesn’t just help our MHFAs support others; it ensures they’re looking after themselves too. The ability to access resources, upskilling sessions, and immediate support when needed is critical in sustaining the network long term.
The Everymind platform ensures MHFAs are not left to manage these responsibilities alone. By providing tools to log conversations and access resources, as well as regular development opportunities, Everymind helps MHFAs feel confident and prepared.
Creating a ripple effect across the business
The renewed MHFA network has had a ripple effect across Portakabin, fostering a culture where mental health is openly discussed and supported. Employees now feel more comfortable reaching out for help, knowing there are resources and people available to support them.
Beth shared a powerful example of how this change has impacted the workforce:
I’ve spoken to colleagues across different areas of the business, and it’s clear that people feel more supported. We’re seeing this feedback in action through increased engagement in wellbeing initiatives and a stronger sense of community.
This ripple effect extends to the organisation’s overall strategy. By identifying recurring challenges and tailoring resources to meet these needs, Portakabin has created a proactive approach to mental health that benefits everyone.
Key challenges and outcomes
Re-engaging the MHFA network
- Challenge: Portakabin’s MHFA network had lost momentum, leaving gaps in support and creating risks of overstepping boundaries.
- Outcome: Everymind provided training and tools to rebuild engagement, increasing engagement by 25% and restoring confidence among MHFAs.
Tailoring support for diverse teams
- Challenge: A one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing wasn’t effective for Portakabin’s workforce, which includes distinct micro-cultures across manufacturing, office, and remote locations.
- Outcome: The Everymind platform provided comprehensive data insights, allowing Portakabin to tailor resources to meet the specific needs of different regions and roles. This approach ensured employees felt supported in ways that resonated with their unique work environments.
Breaking down stigma in a male dominated workforce
- Challenge: Stigma around mental health made it challenging to encourage open conversations and engagement in a male-dominated environment.
- Outcome: Targeted initiatives, such as webinars during safety stand-down weeks, fostered trust and increased engagement, especially among male employees.
Providing integrated, seamless support
- Challenge: Portakabin needed wellbeing support that felt integrated into their team rather than transactional.
- Outcome: Everymind, through the platform and Jo McDonnell’s collaborative approach, provided timely, tailored guidance, becoming a trusted extension of the HR team.
Supporting the supporters
- Challenge: Supporting others can take an emotional toll on MHFAs, especially when dealing with difficult conversations. Without proper support, MHFAs risked burnout or overstepping boundaries.
- Outcome: Everymind’s tools and development sessions ensured MHFAs felt supported and equipped to safeguard their own wellbeing while helping others.
Gaining insights to inform strategy
- Challenge: Portakabin lacked visibility into mental health challenges across the business, hindering their ability to adapt their strategy effectively.
- Outcomes: Everymind’s platform provided actionable data, allowing Portakabin to identify trends and proactively address workforce needs.
Portakabin’s partnership with Everymind has transformed how they approach wellbeing. By focusing on supporting their MHFAs and fostering open conversations about mental health, they have created a culture of care that benefits their entire workforce.
“This partnership has shown us the power of supporting the supporters” Amy concluded. “It’s not just about addressing challenges but about building a proactive culture where employees feel cared for and connected.”
As Portakabin prepares to roll out their three-year wellbeing strategy in 2025, they remain committed to sustaining this progress and ensuring their workforce is supported at every stage.
If you’re inspired by Portakabin’s journey and want to learn more about how Everymind can support your business, explore our services here.
