GMLPN Embark on Mental Health Project with the AoC

The Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (@GM_LPN), in partnership with the Association of Colleges (@AoC_info), and funding from the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, is embarking on an exciting new project to research into and improve mental health support for Apprentices and Trainees within their Independent Training Providers (ITPs) and employers. This project will build upon work the AoC has already undertaken with Colleges.

“We very much welcome this opportunity to work with partners including the AoC and TalkOut to work towards developing a toolkit to ensure training providers and employers can support young Apprentices and Trainees in the workplace and foster their positive mental health.

“And given the current Covid 19 situation that is affecting us all, it is very timely.” – Anne Gornall, Executive Director, GMLPN

Triangle of Support

The GMLPN will develop a self-assessment tool and survey membership to find out the extent to which ITPs have policies and procedures, capacity and capability in place to deal with mental health issues for apprentices, as well as to support employers’ and providers’ staff who are in position to in turn support trainees and apprentices. The aim of the project is to establish a triangle of support between the apprentice/trainee, the provider and the employer so that mental health issues can be supported from all sides.

Mental Health Champions

Subsequent to the research, the GMLPN will look at gaps in capacity and capability within employers and providers and draw up a resource toolkit and training programme to tackle those gaps. Through this training and support, the GMLPN hopes to establish a group of Mental Health Champions who are experts on the issue and who can lend their expertise to other practitioners.

TalkOut

Throughout the project, the GMLPN will be supported by Commercial Partner TalkOut – who are experts in the field of mental health.

“We are excited to support GMLPN in providing evidence and practice-based training to support employers to support the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce. We know that now more than ever, mental health support is needed in the workplace, and we are delighted to be able to support the partnership of GMLPN and AoC. At TalkOut, we provide tailored support to meet the individual needs of each business we partner with, so that we can make real, meaningful and impactful change together” – Leanne Stant, Head of Client Relationships and Training, TalkOut