12th Man Launches Norwich Car Club to Support Mental Health

A unique partnership has been formed between Holden Group, Your Driving Coach and 12th Man to support the mental health of workers across Norwich.

The announcement comes ahead of World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated every year on 10 October, and this year will focus on workplace mental health.

The theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities.

Holden Group currently has 15 Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) with four more colleagues due to be trained this quarter.

John Ballard, Health & Safety Manager for Holden Group, said: “Mental Health First Aid enables us to see the whole spectrum of mental health from positive times to everyday problems such as low mood or anxiety, right through to serious mental illness. The course is held over two days and explores how to approach somebody and how to give them assistance or signpost them to further support. Our Mental Health First Aiders work with our HR team to agree any adjustments, both short and long term, that may support the mental health and well-being of any colleagues in need.

“The course is voluntary and open to any member of the Holden Group, so we have a wide range of colleagues of different ages and from departments around the business who have been trained.”

In addition, Holden Group has eight managers who have completed a mental health awareness course designed to help them sport the signs of somebody in their team who may need some support and to give them the confidence to approach them. Six more managers are booked to undertake the half day course.

The family-owned business has over 220 colleagues across its group of car dealerships representing Kia, Volvo, Honda, Renault, Dacia, MG and Mitsubishi in Norwich and the surrounding Norfolk areas.

Martyn Webb, MD of Holden Group, said: “We’re excited to be working with 12th Man and the new Norwich Car Club. Mental health is so important and by working together we can make a real difference to our community. We’re also incredibly proud of our Mental Health First Aiders and the positive impact that they are already having in supporting their friends and colleagues.”

The 12th Man campaign provides mental health first aid training to trades and interest groups, to encourage men to ‘Be the 12th man’ for their friends, family and colleagues.

Nick Little, 12th Man, explains: “12th Man wants to change the conversation away from illness towards wellness. We all have mental health, every day of our lives, but that’s not how mental health is often presented. Working with businesses like Holden Group and Your Driving Coach helps us to normalise mental health so that every business recognises that in every interaction between members of staff, customers and suppliers mental health is involved. The profits of all businesses are partly influenced by the mental health of staff and customers. Every driver on the road has mental health too – good, bad and somewhere in between.”

The enterprise has now launched a 12th Man Car Club project in Norwich with the support of Holden Group and Your Driving Coach.

Your Driving Coach offers a fresh approach to driving instruction and instructor training. The business tailors its coaching and lessons to the individual learning style of the student.

Shaun Buchanan, Founder of Your Driving Coach, said: “In 2016, I decided that I wanted to build a coaching based driving school that prioritised two things – providing expert support for students of all backgrounds and abilities whilst offering additional support for those that suffer with their mental health; and providing a great place to work, where the team feel empowered, valued and supported to achieve success, both professionally and financially. Every member of the team has received the mental health awareness training and it will be offered to all new team members.

“We’re so proud to be supporting the 12th Man campaign and joining the Car Club with Holden Group. Mental health is so important and the whole campaign really aligns with our values.”