A WREXHAM-based business has opened a wellbeing hub to promote employee mental health.
Plastipak's Gresford plant has created the service ahead of World Mental Health Day (October 10).
The hub offers trained mental health volunteers, mental health breaks and on-site access to support services.
Plastipak, which design, manufacture and recycle plastic containers, announced their Gresford plant has opened a wellbeing hub inside the plant to provide access to both on-site and external mental health services for all employees.
Well-being Hub at Plastipak's Gresford plant.
The new Well-being Hub, a first in company history, offers plant employees a private space for anonymous mental health breaks, conversations with the plant's internal mental health resources and access to external support services.
The private room is equipped with a phone, touch screen and other resources to enable employees to receive support as needed.
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Employees have the option to reach out to support services that Plastipak partners, which include Andy's Man Club (AMC), Samaritans and Mind.
The Gresford plant forged an especially close partnership with AMC thanks to Darren Barker, a plant employee who is heavily involved in the charity.
Dedicated to ending the stigma around men's mental health, AMC offers free-to-attend peer support groups across the country.
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The local Wrexham group meets every Monday at 7PM (except Bank Holidays) and helps to prevent male suicide through the power of conversation.
Plastipak employees are also able to contact the plant's mental health first-aiders, an initiative begun by the plant in 2022 to bolster employee mental health.
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Twenty three associates at the Wrexham site - 10% of the total plant workforce - have been trained to provide mental health support to their peers since the beginning of the program.
Simon Lawrence, regional operations director UK, said: "Last year, we made the decision to invest more intentionally in our on-site mental health resources at our Gresford plant. Ever since then, we've continually looked for new ways to improve the services we're offering our employees and take a holistic look at their overall wellbeing.
"We believe in taking care of our team, and ensuring their safety on the job also means looking after their mental health."
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