VolkerWessels UK
Building a safe, effective Mental Health First Aid network at scale
VolkerWessels UK partnered with Ripple & Co to build and maintain a high-quality Mental Health Champion network across multiple UK sites with robust selection, training, and ongoing capability-building that protects both people and the organisation.
At a glance
The challenge
VolkerWessels UK saw a clear need to strengthen mental health support across the business, against a backdrop of rising mental health challenges and the very real risk profile within the construction industry.
They also recognised a common organisational risk with MHFA networks: good-intentioned volunteers can overstep, become exposed to distress beyond their competence, or struggle to maintain boundaries, creating safeguarding risk for the volunteer, the person seeking support, and the business.
The goal was clear:
Select the right employees, train them properly, and maintain high standards over time.
What we delivered
An ongoing programme combining training, selection safeguards, and practical conversation capability.
1) Proactive selection & suitability screening (uncommon practice)
Before training, volunteers go through a structured process to ensure the role is right for them and safe for the organisation:
Role taster video to create clarity about what the role is (and isn’t), so people can make an informed decision before applying.
Application + risk/suitability assessment to assess motivation, understanding of role scope, ability to hold boundaries, and peer-support capabilities (active listening, empathy, etc.).
Independent clinical assessment conducted by a qualified clinical therapist using a consistent set of 15 questions.
2) MHFA capability-building (initial + ongoing)
Mental Health First Aid
2-day courseRefresher training for existing MHFAs to maintain standards and confidence
Suicide awareness & prevention training
Talkworks conversation skills training for MHFAs (practice-based confidence in real conversations)
3) Manager training using Talkworks
Managers were trained in:
Awareness and early identification (spotting signs)
Practical conversation skills, with a safe space to practise how to respond well
What changed
A safer, more effective network, with clearer role boundaries and stronger consistency across sites.
Key outcomes included:
Higher quality selection:
Following the role clarity and screening process, 37% of existing MHFAs chose not to reapply, making space for new Champions who were better suited to the role.
Stronger safeguarding & reduced organisational risk:
Champions gained clarity on responsibilities, boundaries, and the difference between triage and counselling, reducing the likelihood of overstepping.
Higher engagement and capability:
Average learner feedback across delivery has been 9.7/10.
Reduced retraining waste:
Better selection and clearer role expectations resulted in more active, suitable Champions, reducing the likelihood of drop-off and repeat recruitment cycles.
Ongoing, embedded approach:
With 30+ sessions delivered since February 2022, the work has moved beyond “training delivered” into sustained capability.
This programme reduced organisational risk and improved sustainability by screening for suitability, clarifying role boundaries, and building real-world conversation capability, so Champions stayed within scope and felt confident in the moments that matter.
Why it worked
This programme didn’t just deliver training, it built a safe system around a safety-critical support role.
A Human Factors lens helped ensure:
Role clarity
Champions understood scope, responsibilities, and escalation
Decision-making support
When to listen, when to signpost, when to escalate
Safeguarding built in
Anticipatory risk screening reduced exposure and vulnerability
Boundaries under pressure
What to do (and not do) in emotionally charged moments
Practice, not theory
Conversation capability improved through real rehearsal (Talkworks)
Most importantly, the approach treated MHFA as an operational capability - not a badge.
What people said
Delegate feedback
“The training from start to finish was excellent in every way. Talkworks conversation training - good to have a safe space to practice.”
Delegate feedback
“I felt the days covered the right depth of knowledge for what we need to be successful and competent in the role of the MHFA.”
Delegate feedback
“It was one of the best facilitated courses I’ve attended for a long time. Bit of a cliché – wish this course was around 30 years ago!!”
Occupational Health Lead
“Ripple has an excellent team of people who are able to provide unparalleled support to us… Ripple is stand alone. They will always be my go-to for Mental Health support in any organisation that I am working within.”
Talk to us about selecting, recruiting and training an effective mental health first aid network.
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