More about Fresh Start

Mental illness affects about 1 in 4 of us.
91 million days are lost because of mental ill health.
£9 billion a year is lost to business as a result.

Mental Health is an issue that cannot be ignored. Something needs to change. So how do we change it?

In our FreshStart Mental Health Awareness Training Sessions we use a unique blend of InterAct Training and Media to achieve attitude changes.

What is FreshStart?

FreshStart is about providing people with the insight and tools they need to deal effectively with mental health issues that may occur within the workplace. It aims to facilitate the successful employment of more people with a history of mental illness as well as to help improve general mental health awareness. We target employers and organizations that not only want to improve their staff, but also make a better work environment for everyone.

The Purpose of the FreshStart program is to help develop healthier and more effective workplaces.

Outcomes for the FreshStart program are as follows:

Develop greater understanding and sensitivity to Mental Health issues
Help people spot issues and act responsibly
Improve staff retention
Diminish long-term sick leave
Help people look after their own mental health.
Move beyond limited, negative or stuck behaviours

What is InterAct training?

Working with specialist facilitators using a technique called InterAct training the FreshStart programme draws together a range of common stories around issues in the work place, stress, and mental health to create a fast, engaging piece of theatre. This is performed for the participants; the funnier the play is the more people take the issues seriously. The performance ends in disaster for the central character. Following a highly focused discussion around key issues, the play is repeated. This time the audience stops the action to try out different ways of improving the situations. Actors improvise around them and the audience becomes a team trying out their ideas and arriving at solutions that work.