OSB Group is set to enhance support for its employees by introducing domestic abuse awareness training, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Week 2024.
This initiative aims to equip staff with the necessary skills to recognize, respond, and refer cases of domestic abuse through training provided by The Haven, a refuge for women and children.
In the UK, domestic abuse affected 2.4 million people in 2023, cutting across all demographics. OSB Group’s training is part of The Purple Pledge, designed to help employers create safe and supportive workplaces.
The group has a long-standing partnership with The Haven in Wolverhampton, home to one of OSB’s offices.
Earlier this year, OSB Group also provided Mental Health First Aid training to Demelza, a children’s hospice in Kent.
The training aimed to enhance understanding and support within the hospice, teaching staff to assist effectively without judgment.
Oliver Spencer, marketing and comms storytelling officer at Demelza, shared his experience: “The Mental Health First Aider course was so valuable. Having completed my qualification, I now genuinely feel like I have the tools to support others.
“Carly and Richard from OSB Group were great – they gave us space to discuss difficult concepts and take breaks if we needed to, and there were lots of chances to practice our new skills too!”
Neil Richardson, chief sustainability officer at OSB Group, highlighted the reciprocal benefits of such initiatives: “The strong partnerships we hold within our local communities is something we are immensely proud of here at OSB Group.
“To be able to knowledge and training share is really valuable to all involved. Not only have been able to gift training to charity partners but we are also going to receive training from charity partners too.
“This demonstrates the importance of partnerships going deeper than monetary funding, although that too is key to the support we provide.”
