Member Article

Clarion wins Mental Health Champions award

Leeds law firm Clarion has been recognised in the inaugural Behavioural Wealth Awards for its mental health initiatives.

Launched this year by Addcounsel, one of the UK’s leading providers of individualised care programmes for those with behavioural health issues, the awards are open to organisations in both the public and private sectors. The Mental Health Champion Award recognises initiatives in the financial, legal and private client advisory world to improve mental health within these sectors.

As part of its commitment to creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work, Clarion has established a positive and open culture. From strong internal communications and recognition of hard work and talent to encouraging caring for colleagues, the law firm strives to find ways to promote good mental health. For example, every January is Health and Wellbeing month; and a ‘Being Well’ initiative has been launched by members of the team to regulate and reinforce the mental health and wellbeing message, providing opportunities and resources to employees across the practice to access support on a regular basis. Clarion also offers free yoga and massage sessions, a medical cash plan to support colleagues with preventative health issues and has subscribed to ‘Perk Box’ which includes a well-being section with information about well-being, nutrition and exercise as well as offering discounted gym membership.

Last year, Clarion supported Clare King, legal director in its private client practice, Nicola Moyes, HR assistant, and Lauren Poston, executive assistant, to train as mental health first aiders in the workplace. Other colleagues are booked in to obtain the qualification in the coming months to increase the number and diversity of Mental Health First Aiders available to colleagues who reach out for support.

Clare King accepted the Mental Health Champions award on behalf of Clarion at a ceremony on 13th May in London.

Clare said: “Mental health is increasingly being recognised as an issue affecting people in all walks of life. It’s really important that people feel able not only to discuss problems they’re having, but also that support is readily available for them in the workplace should they need it.

“Over the last couple of years, Clarion has worked to increase understanding in this area as well as trying to create the most nurturing environment it can in order to alleviate stress-related problems. We have a monthly ‘turn up to talk’ group to give colleagues a safe space to raise issues, we also give monthly ‘being well’ updates highlighting different areas of mental health and detailing resources available, and we even have our own ‘wellbeing champions’ working in different teams.

“We’re really proud of what we have achieved in putting support of mental health at the core of our culture and it’s fantastic that our efforts are being recognised with this national award.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .