We Need To Talk
As a company, we always commit to going the extra mile for our clients. That means putting heads together and solving problems, working with production and despatch to rush through a last-minute order, using the KPI programme to identify commercial ambitions and working together to achieve them.
But what about the moments in between when we just... talk.
Standing Still
Sometimes going the extra mile means taking a moment to pause instead.
In the UK, suicide rates among men remain stubbornly high, with reports stating that males aged 50-54 years are reported to have the highest suicide rate (26.8 per 100,000). In a male-dominated industry like ours, those aren't abstract statistics; they're a reminder that the people we work alongside every day are carrying things we don't always see.
We're good at getting on with things, but less good, perhaps, at checking in on one another.
I wanted to pursue a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) course, not because it is required or expected, but because I see it as a chance to show up for colleagues and customers in a different way. In a way that can't be quantified with numbers and output, but in solidarity and support.
The Impact of Mental Health Training
The MHFA course is not about having all the answers or stepping into a role you're not qualified for. It's about knowing how to recognise the signs that someone is struggling, having the confidence to start a conversation and understanding how to signpost someone towards the right support.
We covered how to identify early warning signs of poor mental health, how to listen without judgement, and how to respond calmly in a crisis. We talked about the stigma that still surrounds mental health, particularly among men, and why breaking that silence, even with a straightforward "how are you really doing?" can matter more than people realise.
The biggest takeaway for me was this: you don't need to fix anything. You just need to be present, be honest and make it clear that the conversation is safe to have.
What This Means in Practice
Within Ecoglass, it means colleagues know there's someone they can come to, not as a manager or a senior figure, but as another person who has taken the time to understand and who will listen without making it a bigger deal than it needs to be, or a smaller one.
For our customers, it means the same thing extends beyond our four walls. The relationships we build with clients are built on trust and genuine care, and that doesn't stop at glass specifications and delivery schedules. If someone on the other end of the phone is having a hard time, I'd rather be the kind of person who notices than the kind who doesn't.
This isn't a service we're launching or a programme we're announcing. It's simply a commitment to being more aware, more approachable and more human in the day-to-day.
Because going the extra mile sometimes looks like a rush order turned around overnight. And sometimes it looks like asking someone if they're okay and actually meaning it.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.