Thrive LDN offers all London councillors free mental health training

The Covid-19 pandemic has put London’s elected councillors, and the communities they serve, under more stress than ever.

With its mission to support all Londoners to improve their wellbeing, Thrive LDN has commissioned training specifically for councillors to support their own mental health and that of their constituents.

The pandemic has been the toughest time many Londoners have experienced. Many people have suffered the deaths and serious illness of friends and family, isolation, disruption and loss of income which can all negatively impact a person’s mental health.

We know that mental health is influenced by social, environmental and personal factors, and by understanding these, and the ways they interlink, we can better manage stress and support wellbeing, even in difficult times.

The training has been designed and will be delivered by Councillor Ed Davie, London Borough of Lambeth. Ed has extensive experience in health and wellbeing.  As well as being a Cabinet Member for the Council, he is a mental health Champion, one of 100 councillors across the country working for policies and practice that promote mental health and prevent illness. He has worked for health charities for 12 years, been a Local Government Association Expert Peer since 2013 and has a public health masters degree from King’s College London.

He has tested the training with colleagues in Lambeth and Sutton and more than 90% rate it ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ and useful to their roles as councillors.

Cllr Ed Davie said: “Covid has hit the most vulnerable in our communities – the old, the young, people living in poverty, people from black and ethnic minorities – hardest. Councils have done so much to support our diverse neighbourhoods during the pandemic. The training provides tools to help us continue to help our communities as we take steps towards recovery.”

The free training is based on proven evidence of what works to improve wellbeing. It consists of two 90-minute sessions that can be delivered online or in-person, either in separate sessions or back-to-back with a short break in-between. Session one provides information and tips for councillors to support their own mental health. The second session covers how councillors can use local government powers and influence to create a mentally healthier environment for residents.

Ed has also produced a workbook to sit alongside the training.

If you are a London councillor or a council officer interested in arranging sessions with colleagues in your borough, please contact Ed direct edavie@lambeth.gov.uk.