Time to Change - TWAM signs the pledge

Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) has signed an employer pledge with Time to Change, the growing social  movement run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness which supports people to open up to mental health problems. By signing, TWAM is committing to change the way we all think and act about mental health in the workplace.

The signing ceremony took place at the  Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead on Wednesday 10 October and representatives from TWAM pledged their support to Time to Change with an action plan of activity that will help to break the silence that surrounds mental health in the workplace.

Iain Watson, Director said:

“One of TWAM’s core missions as an organisation is to help people determine their place in the world and define their identities to enhance self-respect and respect for others. That includes my colleagues in TWAM too. I believe that it is essential that we make time for each other, to talk and to listen, and am personally committed to this pledge.  By signing the pledge and joining the Time to Change movement, we’re showing each other the support and willingness to make the difficult conversations surrounding mental health that little bit easier.”

TWAM joins the wide movement of over 450 organisations that have signed up to the Time to Change pledge, including E.ON, British Gas, Ernst & Young, Transport for London, Royal Mail, Barclays, Shell, Pepsico, the Church of England, Sunday Mirror, Marks and Spencer, and many NHS trusts, universities, and local authorities.

Jo Loughran, Interim Director of Time to Change, said:

“We know it can be hard to talk about mental health, which is why we’re supporting employers to open up; to talk and to listen. Too many people with mental health problems are made to feel isolated, ashamed and worthless, but with the right support, those of us with mental health problems can recover and have equal opportunities in all areas of life. Everyone’s attitude makes a difference and it’s fantastic to see organisations like TWAM taking the lead.

“Many leading employers have found that making a strategic commitment to the mental wellbeing of their workforce not only benefits their staff but also their bottom-line, improving productivity and staff retention. With one in six British workers experiencing mental illness, it's time for businesses to make a change and start creating more mentally healthy workplaces."

Time to Change is funded by the Department of Health, Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund. Set up to create a positive shift in public attitudes towards mental health problems, Time to Change supports communities, schools and workplaces to open up to mental health problems, to talk and to listen.

Please contact Victoria Page -  Victoria.Page@twmuseums,org.uk (0191) 277 2170