What is the TTCW Organisational Pledge?
The Time to Change Wales pledge is a public declaration that an organisation wants to step up to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination. It isn’t a quality mark, accreditation or endorsement. There is no test or application. You just have to commit to taking actions that are realistic and right for you that will lead to a reduction in discrimination within your organisation and the wider community.
More organisations stepping up to make the organisational pledge means more noise is being made – helping to break the silence around mental health. Imagine if every organisation in Wales made a public pledge to tackle stigma: employers big and small, councils, universities, football clubs, places of worship, charities… that would send a powerful message that mental health is something that can be talked about, and that stigma and discrimination are not welcome.
How do I make a start?
If you are interested in signing the Time to Change Wales Organisational Pledge, you will need to create an Employers account with us. In your Employers account, you will have access to resources which will help you sign the pledge. All organisations who want to pledge must also complete an action plan setting out what they are going to do. Time to Change Wales provide resources to help advise you on the action plan but it’s the responsibility of the organisation to deliver it. Activities that we encourage organisations to consider are:
- Looking at policies and culture to make sure the workplace is supportive of people with mental health problems.
- Running internal anti-stigma campaigns using our materials; inviting our educators to deliver anti-stigma training.
- Promoting the messages externally to people who use your services and the wider community through your communications channels or by running a campaign.
What is an Action Plan, and how does it work?
You should find the action plan a useful way of setting out your goals, or recording your achievements so far. Make sure the activity you plan is realistic and manageable – at the same time it’s good to aim high.
It could be useful to think of all the different roles your organisation has, and the different groups you have contact with. How can you engage these individuals and groups in challenging stigma?
You'll find tips and examples of activities in our action plan guide, which you will have access to when you create your Employers account. When you’re ready, send us your action plan and we will aim to get back to you within 14 days to agree your plan.
Signing the pledge
When your action plan is agreed, then you will sign the pledge. Stepping up to sign a pledge is a public commitment, so we would like a senior representative from your organisation to publicly sign your pledge certificate/board. To get maximum impact we advise that you arrange to sign the pledge at an event your organisation is already planning, such as a board meeting, AGM, conference or launch event.
You will also be given the option to invite one of our team members to a public pledge signing and/or order a larger pledge board for display purposes.
Once you sign the pledge you will unlock further resources in your Employers account, including access to a Facebook group only available to pledged employers.
Putting your pledge into action
Now comes the hard work – putting your pledge into action! This is down to your organisation, but we are always here to support you. Depending on what is in your action plan, we may also be able to put you in touch with organisations who can provide mental health training or other resources. Don’t forget, you can also find useful information in your Employers account.
What are employer champions?
Champions are essential in challenging stigma and changing the way employees think and act about mental health in workplaces. They are at the forefront of our fight to make it commonplace for employees to say “I’m struggling”, “I’m working too much” or “I need support” in the workplace without the fear of negative consequences.
Your employer has signed the Time to Change Wales Pledge to demonstrate their commitment to creating a workplace free from stigma and discrimination.
