MANX LOTTERY TRUST SUPPORTS CROSSROADS CHARITY WITH STAFF MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING FIRST AID TRAINING

Local charity, Crossroads, will be providing its staff members with mental health and wellbeing first aid training thanks to Manx Lottery Trust funding.

Crossroads offer a range of local services for carers and people with care requirements, supporting all ages, disabilities, illnesses, and care needs. The charity’s support services include care at home, day care for older people and adults with disabilities, and independent living support. Their services create an immediate and sustained respite for those with caring responsibilities. The charity also runs several community initiatives, including the Crossroads Manx Workshop which strives to empower individuals with long-term health conditions and disabilities through training and skills building.

The charity, which is based in Douglas, has been awarded £1,188 from the Manx Lottery Trust and will be using the funds to facilitate an Isle Listen Mental Health and Wellbeing First Aid Training Course for its staff members.

Jackie Betteridge, CEO of Crossroads, said: ‘We can’t thank the Manx Lottery Trust enough for their support with this important project. The mental health and wellbeing first aid training course has been designed to enable people in the workplace to spot the first signs of a mental health condition, and at Crossroads we want to ensure our staff are well supported in responding to these issues - especially given the situations our workers sometimes face. This training will provide our employees with improved knowledge of mental health and will equip them with the skills they need to ensure all our stakeholders, whether that’s another staff member, a volunteer, or one of our service users, feel emotionally supported.

‘As an organisation, we aim to encourage both professional and personal growth and want to ensure we provide a healthy and supportive working environment that gives everyone the chance to flourish.’

Sarah Kelly, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, said: ‘The Manx Lottery Trust is pleased to support Crossroads with this worthwhile initiative - which will no doubt have a positive impact on the charity’s workforce, volunteers, and service users for many years to come.’

This grant is from the Manx Lottery Trust’s Smaller Grants Programme. Manx Lottery Trust has been delegated to distribute National Lottery money from The National Lottery Community Fund. To find out more, head to: www.mlt.org.im/