Staff at Advanced Technology Installations (ATI) in Weybridge are tackling mental health issues in the boxing ring.
Debbie Shields | Communications Manager
The inspiring journey of apprentice Carl Lucas features on Danny Dyer’s Channel 4 show How to Be a Man. ATI co-founders Matt Kelsing and Kevin Mailey tell Clare Dowdy how it all came about.
Q: How did ATI get into boxing?
A: We were finding some of our 45 staff either had, in the past, or were currently having mental health issues. We offered some employees help through talking therapies, but only one person took that up. We found people were closed off to opening up in this way, so we tried boxing training.
We approached the West London Boxing Academy and Darren Harrison from Hurricane Training UK regarding some sessions, while they were in the process of setting up a foundation called 'Everyone's fighting something' to help people with mental health issues. We thought using their coaching and training could be a good way to help the team.
We also thought it was a good way of getting people together to maybe talk and share with each other, building relationships through the training and outside work, and to be a support network for each other.
Q: How did you end up on TV?
A: After our first training session at the academy, the TV production company Whitworth Media got wind of what we were doing and asked us to be part of Danny Dyer's How to Be a Man programme.
Q: What was the take-up for boxing training?
A: It's been a success; 12 people trained on the first night, some of them stuck with it and we have a regular five or six who still train together weekly (funded by ATI) at Hurricane Training.
Q:What have you learned from this intervention?
A: Firstly, it has made us aware, and in being aware we can check in with those who have suffered or are suffering, and hopefully offer them support in a way that works for them.
Q: How has boxing helped your apprentice Carl Lucas?
A: Carl was brave enough to put his hand up and take on the challenge of the white-collar fight, but also to share his struggles with the team. On the face of things, he is a happy, energetic character who you wouldn't think had challenges, so we think he really helped others come forward.
The training journey towards his fight also brought the team closer together. Everyone was able to be a part of some of the training, and of seeing him grow and the positive impact it had on him. And of course they could be there and watch all the hard work pay off when he won a very tough fight.
Q: What impact has it had on the business?
A: There have been many positives.
We think the team really appreciate being at a company that cares, and they're comfortable bringing up these issues now. It's brought a stronger team feel too, which helps out in the field and day-to-day at work. Productivity will always be better if people are happier, feel supported and are working as part of team that is there for each other. And we expect staff retention to be much higher too.
Q: What else are you doing, beyond boxing training?
A: We now do quarterly social events, and we have a team Snowdon trek planned for July, fundraising for a children's charity.
We encourage staff to take on personal challenges, like the London marathon, which we'll support. We feel that anything that gives people a focus and goal will help them mentally, and we support those challenges.
Q: Any advice for other owners of electrical businesses?
A: Having seen the positive results on ATI and those within it, we highly recommend investing some time on your team's wellbeing. Probably the biggest tip would be to stick with it and try different things; people rarely open up straightaway, and no two people will respond in the same way. Also, doing things together can be a much better way of getting people to open up, rather than sat across a table asking them if they're OK.
To see ATI and Carl Lucas in Danny Dyer's Channel 4 TV programme How to Be a Man, go to bit.ly/How-to-be-a-man
Q: How did ATI get into boxing?
A: We were finding some of our 45 staff either had, in the past, or were currently having mental health issues. We offered some employees help through talking therapies, but only one person took that up. We found people were closed off to opening up in this way, so we tried boxing training.
We approached the West London Boxing Academy and Darren Harrison from Hurricane Training UK regarding some sessions, while they were in the process of setting up a foundation called 'Everyone's fighting something' to help people with mental health issues. We thought using their coaching and training could be a good way to help the team.
We also thought it was a good way of getting people together to maybe talk and share with each other, building relationships through the training and outside work, and to be a support network for each other.
Q: How did you end up on TV?
A: After our first training session at the academy, the TV production company Whitworth Media got wind of what we were doing and asked us to be part of Danny Dyer's How to Be a Man programme.
Q: What was the take-up for boxing training?
A: It's been a success; 12 people trained on the first night, some of them stuck with it and we have a regular five or six who still train together weekly (funded by ATI) at Hurricane Training.
Q:What have you learned from this intervention?
A: Firstly, it has made us aware, and in being aware we can check in with those who have suffered or are suffering, and hopefully offer them support in a way that works for them.
Q: How has boxing helped your apprentice Carl Lucas?
A: Carl was brave enough to put his hand up and take on the challenge of the white-collar fight, but also to share his struggles with the team. On the face of things, he is a happy, energetic character who you wouldn't think had challenges, so we think he really helped others come forward.
The training journey towards his fight also brought the team closer together. Everyone was able to be a part of some of the training, and of seeing him grow and the positive impact it had on him. And of course they could be there and watch all the hard work pay off when he won a very tough fight.
Q: What impact has it had on the business?
A: There have been many positives.
We think the team really appreciate being at a company that cares, and they're comfortable bringing up these issues now. It's brought a stronger team feel too, which helps out in the field and day-to-day at work. Productivity will always be better if people are happier, feel supported and are working as part of team that is there for each other. And we expect staff retention to be much higher too.
Q: What else are you doing, beyond boxing training?
A: We now do quarterly social events, and we have a team Snowdon trek planned for July, fundraising for a children's charity.
We encourage staff to take on personal challenges, like the London marathon, which we'll support. We feel that anything that gives people a focus and goal will help them mentally, and we support those challenges.
Q: Any advice for other owners of electrical businesses?
A: Having seen the positive results on ATI and those within it, we highly recommend investing some time on your team's wellbeing. Probably the biggest tip would be to stick with it and try different things; people rarely open up straightaway, and no two people will respond in the same way. Also, doing things together can be a much better way of getting people to open up, rather than sat across a table asking them if they're OK.
To see ATI and Carl Lucas in Danny Dyer's Channel 4 TV programme How to Be a Man, go to bit.ly/How-to-be-a-man
