Launched in 2019, the This Can Happen Global Awards celebrate and recognise companies and individuals who have shown excellence in their approach towards positive mental wellbeing for their employees and colleagues.

VolkerRail has been shortlisted in the Best Targeted Mental Wellbeing Initiative for its innovative Building Relationships on Site (BROS) scheme, which focuses on our site-based employees, and how to help them begin mental health conversations, for the most Inspiring Mental Wellbeing Champion/Ally, for the work Vikky Goodwin, lead document controller, had achieved in leading mental health initiatives – including BROS – across the business.

BROS was created using research on behaviour, gathered from representatives across the business, and teaches and encourages site based employees how to react to situations at work in the same way they would in normal life.

The scheme works on increasing mental health openness, by promoting a positive impact of self-awareness, along with how to identify changing behaviours in others, and how to confidently approach mental health conversations.

In the 12 months since its launch, the BROS initiative has been successfully briefed to more than 80% of the business – 60% at business level and 20% at office level, leading to a decrease in reported sicknesses which are attributed to mental health.

Reflecting on the award shortlist, Vikky Goodwin said: “The BROS scheme is starting to become a real success, and is the way forward when approaching mental health conversations on site.

“We initially developed this initiative to improve mental health conversations with site-based employees, and noticed an immediate positive impact when implemented. Its success has also been noticed by Network Rail, Siemens, Skanska and Systra, with Network Rail and Skanska looking to adopt BROS and launch within their projects later this year.

“I am delighted that both myself and VolkerRail have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award, that recognises businesses’ and employee’s efforts within mental health. I wish everyone the best of luck.”

The awards ceremony will take place in London on 14 June. To find out more about the This Can Happen Global awards, please click here.