Employers urged to champion wellbeing

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce is calling on businesses across the county to mark this weekend’s World Mental Health Day by strengthening their commitment to staff wellbeing.

This year’s global theme for the October 10 event is ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change’, and aligns directly with the Chamber’s newly refreshed Mental Health & Wellbeing Charter.

It sets out a clear, practical framework for creating workplaces where people feel safe, supported, and able to speak openly about their mental health.

The charter is part of Shropshire Chamber’s commitment to building a business culture where openness replaces stigma, compassion replaces silence, and every employee feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Find out more at www.shropshire-chamber.co.uk/support-advice/mental-health-charter

Chief executive Ruth Ross said it was important to ensure that lived experiences of mental health were genuinely heard, understood, and acted upon.

“Great businesses are built by people who feel supported, valued and well. Good mental health is not a ‘nice to have’ - it is fundamental to how businesses function, how teams perform, and how people feel when they come to work.

“Particularly in the years since the pandemic, we have seen just how vital it is for employers to create environments where staff feel supported, understood, and able to speak openly about their wellbeing.”

Shropshire Chamber’s Patron members were among the first to sign the new document, demonstrating leadership in prioritising mental health across Shropshire’s business community.

Ruth said it had been designed to be easy for organisations to adopt straight away, giving employers a clear framework to embed mental health as a core business priority.

“We warmly encourage all patrons and members of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce to demonstrate their leadership and commitment by signing the Mental Health & Wellbeing Charter.

“By doing so, you’re joining a community of Shropshire organisations who are choosing to take mental health seriously. You are helping set the standard for supportive, inclusive workplaces across our business community.”

Pictured: iconsys of Telford signs the Charter