Business process automation specialists, :automate, has joined forces with Burnley Leisure & Culture (BLC) and Six Connections to create a new free digital learning course on mental health and wellbeing.
The company was inspired to develop the programme by BLC’s Summer solstice walking challenge, taking place this Wednesday (21st June 2023), which raises vital funds to support those with mental health difficulties past and present; and the new online course will be available to all those who attend and compete on the day.
For the second consecutive year, the walk aims to dedicate the longest day of the year to support those struggling with mental health and to help raise awareness of the vital services that are available; to engage workforces and residents of Burnley and to create an opportunity to open conversations.
Organised in partnership with Six Connections and Casual Minds Matter, the full walk takes approximately 17-hours, from sunrise to sunset, some covering more than 140 miles and it’s expected that hundreds of people from organisations across Lancashire will be donning their walking boots in support.
Six staff from the Meritec Group, the technology, software and services company that powers the :automate brand, are participating in the challenge and hoping to raise much needed funds.
The free course is available until the end of July for all participants and is easy to navigate, taking just ten/fifteen minutes to complete. It covers:
- Understanding mental wellbeing
- How can you become mentally fitter?
- How do you spot signs that others may be suffering with poor mental wellbeing?
- What support arrangements are in place from the organisation?
- Signposting to local support groups, such as Six Connections
Andrea Pollard, Events & Partnerships Manager, Community and Wellbeing at Burnley Leisure & Culture, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Meritec & their: automate team for developing this bespoke training course for us. It really does help to bring home and highlight the triggers that often go unnoticed and by taking time to complete the course where you need to sit and really think about yourself, it will ensure people can manage the onset of symptoms and seek the right help when they need it most.”
Alex Abbey, Head of Sales and Marketing at Meritec, added: “There’s not a day goes by that mental health and/or wellbeing isn’t mentioned in conversation or in the news, so it’s imperative that we do our bit in order to make information and support services as accessible as possible. As well as giving access online, we have also created a QR code for walkers to simply scan and access the course at any time to suit.
“If people are prepared to walk hundreds of miles to help those with mental health difficulties, then we’re proud to participate in that, as well as do our bit to digitise information and make it easy for people to get the assistance they need and for businesses themselves to support their employees. As the course suggests, it really is ‘okay not to be okay’.”
To support the 2023 Summer solstice walking challenge and make a pledge, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/f9cxvh-summer-solstice-walking-challenge
