M&S pioneers new mental health training to help colleagues support young people
Marks & Spencer has launched a new training programme to help its 65,000 staff members learn more about how to support the young people in their lives.
Introduced during Children’s Mental Health Week, the online voluntary training has been created as part of the retailer’s ongoing partnership with mental health charity, Young Minds.
M&S said the move will help staff to develop skills and understanding to support them in having conversations with young people around how they are feeling and help prevent them from reaching the point of crisis.
Victoria McKenzie-Gould, corporate affairs director at M&S, said: “When we asked colleagues and customers what issues were front of their mind, their family’s mental health was top of the list. That’s why we launched our biggest-ever charity partnership with Young Minds in September, which brings practical help and optimism to support young people with their mental health.”
The retailer is also launching a Young Minds colleague network to support the training and to ensure staff members can access peer-to-peer advice.
M&S stores have now embarked on a new donation drive for Children’s Mental Health Week this week where customers can choose to round up their shopping basket total to donate to Young Minds.
McKenzie-Gould said: “Our colleagues and customers have been phenomenal; helping us smash our initial fundraising target with a donation of £1.4 million to date.
“To coincide with Children’s Mental Health week, we are encouraging everyone to check in with the young people in their lives and launching a fresh fundraising drive.”
