BCLM Mental Health First Aiders

Carla Jasper

Contact: [email protected]

Location on site: Main Reception/Admissions

“     Hi, I’m Carla. I am the Area Lead for the Retail and Admissions Team and I have worked at the Museum for just under 2 years.

My main hobbies include running, crafting, watching films and singing. These all make my heart happy. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family when I am able to.

Mental health is as important to overall health as is physical health, although we don’t treat is as such. I decided to become a Mental Health First Aider to support my colleagues during what has been and what may continue to be, a very trying time for everyone.     ”

Dawn Hampton

Contact: [email protected]

Location on site: Rolfe Street Office

”     Hi, my name is Dawn. Many of you have seen me around the Museum, but for those who haven’t, I am part of the Finance Team.

I have worked at the Museum since 2001 – starting in the Sales and Ticketing (Bookings) Office.

I am currently studying for my AAT Level 3 at Dudley College, and enjoy volunteering with my daughter, at the Greyhound Trust on a Sunday, walking and feeding the dogs and cleaning their kennels.

At the moment, we are still able to volunteer, and getting out has helped with our mental health during this pandemic.

I am married and have two teenage children, and two greyhounds at home. Life is never dull!

Being a Mental Health First Aider is very close to my heart, and I want people to know there is always someone there and to never feel alone.     “

Hayley Boswell

Contact: [email protected]

Location on site: Canalside Office

”     Hi I’m Hayley, I work in the People & Culture Team and I have worked at the Museum for over a year. 

Alongside full-time work, I am studying part time for my Level 7 CIPD Advance Diploma in Human Resource Management. This requires me to have strong organisational and time management skills to effectively manage my priorities at work and in my studies.

In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, walking and spending time with my family and friends.

COVID-19 has disrupted important milestones and caused a lot of anxiety and stress for all of us. For me in particular, there has been significant disruption to my studies and I was faced with the difficult decision of postponing my wedding just a couple of months before I was due to get married.

I became a MHFA to provide support to my colleagues and to help the Museum in its commitment to creating a health working environment.     “

Jo Turner

Contact: [email protected]

Location on site: Hartills Office

”     Hi – I’m Jo and I’ve been Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive at the Museum for the past 5 ½ years, also providing support to the Board of Trustees and Leadership Team.  Previous to this I worked for children’s charities, supporting management and key workers with projects and services for young people, sometimes dealing with challenging and often traumatic issues.  One of the projects I supported introduced young people to new activities and experiences to help improve their mental health.

Finding what brings you joy, what’s meaningful to you that gets you through the day or helps with a difficult situation can be really powerful.  For me, what’s got me through the last year and what helps with my own anxiety, has been staying connected to others, practising yoga and getting creative with crafts and DIY at home.  Getting outside more has also helped and I’m currently attempting the Couch-to-5K scheme to help improve my fitness.

I also currently mentor 2 admin professionals outside of work, supporting them with the challenges they face in their roles, with personal issues and with their thoughts and hopes about the future.

I wanted to become a Mental Health First Aider to support colleagues with their own wellbeing and to help the Museum with its commitment to creating a happy and healthy workforce.     “

Lee Adams

Location on site: Main Village

“     Hi, my name is Lee, I work as part of the Historic Characters team. I have been at the museum for 5 years and enjoyed every minute.

During lockdown I did an introductory course in child psychology to help my daughter with her anxiety. This course helped me to understand her worries and offer solutions.

In my spare time, I love to read, knit and spend time with my family. Covid has definitely put a spanner in the works on my social life but it hasn’t stopped me chatting on the phone or online.

I decided to become a Mental Health First Aider because I wanted to help others and give my support to them in any way I can.     ”

Lewis Turner

Location on site: Bottle & Glass Pub

“     Hi, I’m Lewis, I am the Area Lead in the Bottle & Glass. I’ve worked at the Museum for around four and half years now.

Outside of work I’m a passionate Musician and I enjoy performing. I also try to make time to keep fit and exercise although, like many of you at the moment, this has been difficult to maintain a routine in due to COVID-19.

I became a Mental Health First Aider, because I wanted to gain a stronger understanding of how to be most effective in providing support for my colleagues and friends.     ”

Lindsey Butler

Contact: [email protected]

Location on site: Morralls Office

“     Hi, I’m Lindsey one of the Team Managers for the Engagement and Operations team. I have worked at the museum for over 10 years and still love the day to day challenges that my role brings.

I am a mom to two great kids, one grown up, and the other in school and still very much at home!

My lifetime loves are singing and song writing and I am never far away from a good book. My lockdown hobbies, which thankfully I am still managing to find the time to do, are running, HITT and weight training. Without all of the above I know that my mental health would have seriously struggled throughout lockdown and beyond.

I have in my lifetime had some “very wobbly moments” and like many, know that I am only a stone’s throw away from mental health conditions. Becoming a Mental Health First Aider will hopefully help me to better understand issues that could affect my colleagues, friends, family and even myself.     ”