In a possible first for the Scottish funeral industry, Fosters Family Funeral Directors has partnered with charity SAMH.

SAMH, the Scottish Association for Mental Health will provide virtual positive mental health workshops for staff across the business.

The collaboration between Fosters and SAMH will see all 109 employees, ranging from the CEO and senior management team to funeral arrangers across all parlours, take part in ‘Maintaining Wellbeing’ sessions, delivered by the Scottish mental health charity’s mental health training programme via Zoom.

Two male staff members wearing smart suits sit at a table in front of laptops, Both wear face masks

 

In addition, the senior leadership team will complete a ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’ workshop, delivered through specially trained instructors from the Scottish charity, with the aim of increasing awareness and obtaining crucial skills in managing mental health in the workplace, as well as knowledge to support colleagues in maintaining their own health and wellbeing.

Robert MacLachlan, Fosters Family Funeral Directors CEO, said: “Throughout the pandemic our key worker staff have given their all to ensure bereaved families are provided with the very best of compassionate and professional care.

“In turn it is our duty to ensure that our dedicated people, who are the backbone of our business, receive the best possible guidance and support. Our partnership with SAMH will help equip staff at all levels with the skills to look after their mental well-being and support one another.

 

The courses taking place throughout February and March will explore the meaning of mental health and provide attendees with the skills for maintaining their own wellbeing, whilst management will also be trained in speaking confidently to colleagues who are experiencing low mental health, and provide information on where to find help and support within the community.

Those working within the funeral industry have played an integral role during the global pandemic, working on the frontline in challenging times, ensuring families receive the care and compassion needed during such a difficult time.

Oxana MacGregor-Gunn, Head of Employment at SAMH, said: We are delighted to be working with Fosters Family Funeral Directors through our mental health training programme, SAMH Workplace. With 2021 set to be another challenging year, businesses need to make sure the wellbeing of their employees is made a priority in order to weather the storm. It’s encouraging to see organisations like Fosters taking action and ensuring their staff are provided with the right support and skills, in a time when they’ve never been more needed. We look forward to supporting Foster’s growing culture of good mental health in the future.”

Learn more about the fantastic work SAMH do across Scotland by visiting their website.