Case study: Mental Health First Aid at Smurfit Kappa UK
- Oct 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 19
The headlines
Who
Smurfit Kappa UK
(Now Smurfit Westrock)
Leading global providers of better planet paper-based packaging.
What
National implementation Mental Health First Aid
Strategic leadership engagement
Toolbox talks
MHFAider CPD
Role
Consulting
Facilitation
Learning Design
Purpose
Move over ‘tick-box’ exercises. At Smurfit Kappa UK it’s all about holistic and meaningful approaches to workplace wellbeing. In 2019, there was an overwhelming feeling that ‘now is time for change’ and Smurfit Kappa actioned their first wellbeing strategy.
The Health & Wellbeing Committee was committed to national training playing a key strategic role. This initiative would bring to life their wellbeing promise of establishing an interdependent, safe and healthy working culture for all colleagues.
“At Smurfit Kappa we are committed to creating and promoting a culture of positive mental health and wellbeing which is actively encouraged and visible throughout the company. This approach will impact on colleagues physical health and many other aspects of people's lives. Nigel Elias, UK HSE Manager
Ways of working
To realise an ambitious roll-out plan, Smurfit Kappa UK needed an agile partner with shared values. Everyday people was invited to deliver Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) throughout the business. We’re honoured they got in touch!
The trust grew quickly in our working relationship - provider became partner as we explored together strategic steps to create a stigma free and supportive culture around mental health in the workplace. We knew that the training piece of the puzzle needed to align to the Workplace Wellbeing Charter and support the utilisation of the Employee Assistance Programme.
Our project catch-ups and ideation sessions were always something to look forward to!
Why Mental Health First Aid?
Smurfit Kappa UK wanted to demonstrate their commitment to wellness by choosing certified and evidence-based courses with global recognition. MHFA England First Aider and Champion courses were identified as meeting those needs. Implementing MHFA also matched language and mindset with the well-established physical health and safety culture within the business.
“The course was excellent throughout. Something that should have been done in the industry 40 years ago. Brilliant.” Participant
Creative solution
The MHFA approach was launched ahead of International Labour Organisations (ILO) World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2019.
Over the initial 7-months, a team of 14 everyday people facilitators trained 17% of the total Smurfit Kappa UK workforce in Mental Health First Aid skills, including:
195 Mental Health First Aiders
359 Mental Health First Aid Champions (leaders)
With 24 sites reached
In the following years more locations were reached through regular course delivery, and MHFAiders were supported with bi-monthly community learning sessions to provide light supervision and timely CPD opportunities.
Empowering colleagues to take personal responsibility for maintaining and improving their own wellbeing is a cornerstone of our approach to Health and Safety. In reality the training we have provided means that colleagues now feel more confident to ask for help, to support one another and to signpost further appropriate help when the assistance of a supportive friend is not quite enough. It’s creating such a buzz in the business, it’s tangible. Trudy Rush, UK HR Director
Results
The course and facilitators scored highly with 100% rating as either Very Good or Good.
Participants reported a marked increase in confidence and competence when supporting colleagues with mental health issues.
At everyday people, we know what really matters is whether behaviour change has been realised back in the everyday operations of the business…
“I’ve seen people less afraid to tell me they are struggling. If that’s it, if that’s all we achieve, honestly, it’s enough.” Michelle Wright, HSQE Manager
By December 2019, Smurfit Kappa UK was aware of at least 90 conversations that had taken place with a Mental Health First Aider in six months since training was introduced.
A significant increase in the use of the EAP was also recorded with 178% rise in usage of the Employee Assistance line and 788% lift in utilisation of the Work-life Assistance line. What’s even more promising is where the signposting came from with 49% advised by their line manager.
Adrian Thomas, Victoria Brookbank and Jake Kemp (twice!) on site tours – living the everyday people customer promise of being your culture ambassadors.
Feedback travels both ways. A member of our facilitator team, Adrian Thomas, mentioned how “all sites were hugely welcoming and adaptive to having us there. It was a pleasure to be supported by each team!”
Next steps
Everyday people supported further activities to maintain momentum and support consistent communication nationwide. This included:
Speaking at National Leadership Conference and Trade Union Annual Meeting
Design of Toolbox Talks, cascaded throughout the organisation
Tailored virtual workshops to support colleagues during Covid-19 outbreak
Ongoing facilitation of MHFA courses (in-person and virtual) and MHFAider community support sessions (virtual)
Contribution of wellbeing ideas for individual site calendars
Since initial launch, the Smurfit Kappa UK wellbeing strategy has gone from strength to strength. In 2022 the business solidified their sustainable commitment to wellness by employing their first dedicated UK Wellbeing Lead. A fantastic measure of success for all involved!
We love that a company like Smurfit Kappa UK have taken steps towards boosting employee wellness by creating a stigma free and supportive culture around Mental Health. And we appreciate that MHFA is just one piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
Find out more about our strategic focus at www.everyday-people.co.uk.
Comments