Stu Skinner , Expedition Leader, and Josh Bulpin , Head of Leader Management and Training, World Challenge
World Challenge is the leading provider of youth expeditions in the country. There are over 280 teams overseas during the peak summer period. Expedition Leader Stu Skinner found himself supporting a teenage girl who was experiencing anorexia. This prompted him to investigate Mental Health First Aid training. He soon trained as a MHFA England instructor. This started his work toward creating an important shift within the expedition industry. In 2018 alongside Stu, World Challenge committed to train all its Expedition Leaders as Mental Health First Aiders. Stu has run 21 courses to date and trained 194 Expedition Leaders. The response has been very positive.
Josh Bulpin is Head of Leader Management and Training. He has seen how Leaders respond more effectively during mental health incidents. He says: “There has been a positive impact on the wellbeing and expedition experience for both the leaders and youth.” Stu is proud of the barriers that the training has broken down. He says: “MHFA England training has allowed Leaders a space to talk candidly about mental health. They can share their stories in a way they’ve not had the opportunity to do so before.” He has also trained operational response staff and other members of the World Challenge team. Stu and World Challenge are looking forward to the summer expedition season and are planning to start measuring the impact of MHFA England training.
Alan Millbrow , Head of Wellbeing & Recognition, Three UK
“Mental Health First Aid is an essential part of our wellbeing strategy. Over 210 people across our retail and core functions have attended the Adult MHFA Two Day course. We call our Mental Health First Aiders ‘Time to Talk Reps’ and backed up by engagement activity, they have had an immediate positive impact on our people. Our recent employee
engagement survey highlighted this - the number one reason for positive feeling towards wellbeing was our ‘Time to Talk Reps’. We are keen to continue breaking down barriers and are looking forward to building upon our successful partnership with MHFA England in the years to come.”
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