Kellogg's

While it’s a well-recognised fact that good days begin with a good breakfast, cereal giant Kellogg’s understands that for colleagues experiencing issues with their mental health, maintaining a get-up-and-go productive work life can be a significant challenge. The company’s UK headquarters and largest cereal manufacturing plant, both located in Greater Manchester, have therefore enthusiastically teamed up with mental health support service Able Futures to ensure their staff have more and more good days.

Able Futures delivers the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, offering anyone in work access to a qualified vocational rehabilitation consultant for up to nine months of support. There is no charge for individuals or employers to use the service, which is fully funded by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Enabling a productive workforce

Kellogg’s is a proactive advocate of holistic employee wellbeing and this is actively promoted at its Manchester factory by Plant Director Paul Wrigley, HR Manager Karen Mawson and Specialist Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner, Corinne McParland.

Overseeing the health and wellbeing of more than 1,000 staff members at Kellogg’s Media City UK headquarters and the Trafford Park factory – the largest cereal factory in Europe – Corinne and the wider Kellogg’s teams are instrumental in maintaining supported, productive and committed colleagues. After meeting Able Futures Business Account Manager Angela Han at the NEC Health and Wellbeing at Work Conference, a partnership was formed, which is seeing rising numbers of Kellogg’s colleagues benefit from the service.

“We all recognise the importance of supporting employees with mental health conditions. It’s very much led from the top here at Kellogg’s,” says Corinne. “Able Futures has helped us to improve the ease of access to support, not just here in Manchester but potentially across our entire group.”

“Able Futures has been extremely accommodating to our operating environment and delivered launch events to all of our manufacturing teams covering five different shift patterns.” Paul Wrigley, Kellogg’s Plant Director

Specialist Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner, Corinne McParland says: “We have colleagues in many different job roles, experiencing many different pressures – some work related, but many not. We aim to provide support as early as possible and for Able Futures appointments will give time off, and quiet, confidential spaces to meet if needed.

“I’ve been massively impressed with how quickly and easily appointments have been arranged; the potential length of time that people are supported for; and of course the fact that for us as an employer all of this professional help is available free of charge.”

Keeping good mental health in mind

Able Futures helps employers to promote the support available by delivering awareness sessions for colleagues and leadership teams and providing contact cards to distribute to staff.

“Able Futures has been extremely accommodating to our operating environment and delivered launch events to our manufacturing teams covering five different shift patterns,” adds Plant Director Paul Wrigley. “We have our own wellbeing group on site and colleagues who are interested in supporting the initiative. The partnership with Able Futures fits holistically with our programme to support and promote ‘Total Health & Wellbeing’. We are arranging further events and training sessions for new mental health champions across the business and we’ll also be working with Angela on our Time to Change pledge employer action plan.

“Away from work, some people are also going on to access Able Futures help for working members of their families.” Karen Mawson, Kellogg’s HR Manager

HR Manager Karen Mawson says: “It’s a catch-all service: colleagues can self-refer; we can signpost people to it; or simply get some advice on how to help a colleague. Away from work, some people are also going on to access Able Futures help for working members of their families.

“The service is already proving to be of huge benefit to colleagues off work and those likely to take time off without support, and we would highly recommend it.”

Able Futures is a specialist partnership set up to help people with mental health difficulties. Telephone, online and face-to-face support is delivered by qualified mental health care professionals, a range of specialist partners and advisers based throughout Great Britain.

“I’ve been massively impressed with how quickly and easily appointments have been arranged; the potential length of time that people are supported for; and of course the fact that for us as an employer all of this professional help is available free of charge.” Corinne McParland, Kellogg’s Specialist Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner