A Basingstoke recruiter is aiming to train 100 mental health first aiders as part of increased focus on employee wellbeing.

Gi Group, a recruitment and HR specialist, is investing in Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) training, with group head of learning and development Emma-Louise Taylor qualifying as an MHFA Instructor.

With its 500 UK employees, already 45 have become certified MHFAs, a figure set to rise over the next six months.

Ms Taylor said: "At Gi Group, we’re proud to be taking a proactive approach towards caring for our employee’s wellbeing and supporting each individual through their personal mental health experiences in and outside of work.

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Basingstoke Gazette: Emma-Louise Taylor has already become a MHFA Instructor"The working landscape has shifted dramatically in the last few years, and we want to do all we can to ensure we’re providing support for all our people, especially given the recent statistics around ill health in employees at work."

Adding that this is crucial, especially in the wake of rising levels of post-pandemic ill health amongst younger workers, she highlighted the importance of employer investment in the team's wellbeing.

The programme, which will be completed by the end of 2024, will see a minimum of one MHFA for each of their 85 UK locations.