Mental health month at Ongo

Throughout the month of May we are raising mental health awareness with events and campaigns for customer and colleagues to take part in.

From 9-15 May, Mental Health Foundation are launching ‘Mental Health Awareness Week 2022’. This year is themed around loneliness, the experience of it, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.

On 9 May at 10am, we are hosting a ‘Walk and Talk’, meeting at The Pods in Scunthorpe.  Colleagues, customers and Jerry Green dog rescue, with therapy dogs, will all be in attendance and all are welcome to join.

On 13 May us and Scunthorpe United will ‘Unite for Loneliness’ as customers are invited to Glanford Park for a walk, tour and to meet representatives from the club, reflecting on mental health and help that is available.

Throughout the month our colleagues are also being encouraged to use their paid volunteering hours to sign up to Age UK’s befriending service, which involves telephone or face to face conversations, to combat loneliness.

Promotion of their services for customers will take place. This includes counselling, well-being calls, confidence building sessions, social activities and employment support.

Along with customer support, Ongo also has a range of services available for colleagues which includes counselling, training, a wellbeing space, and occupational health. 

Carol Richardson, Reconnect Project Co-ordinator at Ongo said: “We’re pleased to be raising awareness of such an important subject.

“For us it’s not just about one month, we are here all year round and want to shout as much as possible that help is available.

“Mental health is very real. You may be reading this today feeling good, but tomorrow something could change and you may need mental health support. It’s great to see more people having that mind-set and being understanding of others.

“If you do need help, or know someone who may benefit from one of our mental health projects, please get in touch with us, we would love to hear from you.”