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Health & Safety at Work is one of the main reasons,working people join Trade Unions. In fact it comes ahead of Pay as an area of concern for workers in many industries. Indeed the concerns over mental health being badly effected by the Covi-19 epidemic and the 'lock downs' and working from home only instructions from the Government in 2020/2021, has seen Union Safety Reps spurred on to help address the damage to the mental health of working people and put pressure on employers to recognise this 'side effect' from Covid-19 mitigations.
Both Jamie McGovern (CWU Area Safety Rep, Greater Mersey Amal Branch working in Royal Mail, and CWU National Health & Safety Officer, Dave Joyce were successfully nominated in two categories of the awards: an individual Behind The Scenes Champion award in the Mental Health First Aid category, and one for the best organisation developing Mental health support strategies. The awards were sponsored by the 'Mental Health Foundation' in recognition of the work done by both organisations and individuals in the field of promoting and supporting good mental health at work. Chris Cummings and Rob Stephenson 'InsideOut' Mental Health Co-Founders said in a huge plaudit to the CWU: "The pandemic has elevated mental health and wellbeing up the priority list for most organisations and we are seeing true excellence from organisations like CWU and individuals like Jamie McGovern, all contributing to creating mentally healthier workplaces. The CWU have inspired positive change, true commitment and courageousness to enable real change within their field towards creating mentally healthier workplaces." Jamie McGovern has previously told Unionsafety of the work that he had done in the North West with the Regional Safety Lead Mark Holt, Assistant Regional Secretary Emma Garner, and Regional Secretary Carl Webb in setting up the North West Mental Health Support Network of reps who have undergone mental health first aid training. Indeed, the website has previously published reports on the mental health support work he has done along with that of Mark Holt and the Mental Health First Aiders in the North West., and some of the documentation on Mental Health they have written, is available for download in the website's E-Library.
"Thanks All, I can 100% assure you that I will be attempting to keep a low profile at this event, but at the same time, I will be looking around to see which people/organisations could be of use to us in the NW CWU and in the NW Mental Health Network." Words of encouragement and support for Jamie's nomination came from many, with Regional Safety Lead, Mark Holt saying: "I know Jamie doesn't want any fuss making of this ..... but I personally think we should be recognising what an achievement this is not only for Jamie but also the region and the CWU nationally. Jamie is attending the awards next Thursday with Dave Joyce and I think it goes without saying we are all routing for you mate. Incredibly proud to work with you." Malcolm Dobson from Greater Manchester Branch wrote: "A fantastic achievement, well done and good luck. You deserve the recognition for all the work you have done , but more importantly for highlighting the importance Health and Safety is in the workplace." Chris Ingram Unionsafety web editor joined the above comments: "This is superb news! Jamie has to be one of the most caring, affective, and knowledgeable safety reps the CWU has. I have been very proud of working with him on Merseyside. He is a credit to the Greater Mersey Amal Branch, and to the CWU as a whole." But it was Carl Webb, CWU Nw Regional Secretary who first broke the news to the WhatsApp group: "He's only gone and won!! Well done Jamie, so well deserved!" Further words of congratulations to Jamie, were then posted by Jill Coulson, Derek Maylor, Mark Holt, to name but a few.
"I'm delighted and honoured to have received this prestigious award for the CWU and to be the first Trade Union to win it plus the fact that the award was sponsored and presented by 'Mental Health First Aid (England)' the organisation that sets the standards for training and guidance in this country." He continued: "The award recognises the huge amount of work and achievement the Health and Safety Department has done at HQ but additionally this is an award recognising the great work of our CWU Mental Health network across all our regions. An award for every single CWU representative and Mental Health First Aider throughout our Union at every level who has made a contribution to this great Union's work in taking action to prioritise and address better mental health in the workplace, continually raising awareness of how important mental health is by getting involved with the membership, making every effort to support, engage and connect, promote wellbeing and highlight the importance of maintaining good mental health." He concluded:
But perhaps the most poignant comment was made by Steve Jones, NEC and Chair of the CWU's 'Mental Health Project Team' who has worked closely with both Jamie and Dave Joyce: I am particularly pleased that Jamie McGovern's immensely inspirational work has been recognised. I know Jamie will want to share his award with Reps up and down the country who are supporting countless members. I am not exaggerating when I say lives have been saved." Source: CWU / NW Regional H&s Forum WhatsApp Group
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The 'InsideOut' Mental Health organisations last night gave their second year of awards in recognition of those who have made a difference in the work they have done in support of addressing Mental Health issues in the workplace and for their work in providing support for those needing it.
Jamie has a very unassuming manner, and perhaps the measure of Jamie's response to being credited for the work he does, is best summed up by his comment on the NW Region's H&S WhatsApp group when word of his nomination for the award was first mentioned, and the photo to the left was circulated:
Dave Joyce CWU National Health and Safety Officer said today following the winning of their awards: 
"Jamie McGovern winning the individual award also was the icing on the cake. He's done nothing but great work for this Union and is a great flag bearer for others."