Laura Main

Said the following about Neil Cockerton:

“Neil is nominated for his outstanding dedication of leading the development of the Anglia route’s approach to tackling the huge issues of mental health and wellbeing.

There was no set structure for this programme and Neil battled through the system to make big changes despite a lack of business support and resistance from colleagues. He took on this challenge in addition to excelling at his day to day duties as an area plant manager.

Neil set up a steering group, consulted with other areas of the business, established and facilitated a series of initial discussion groups at various locations throughout the route, and more recently, a series of training sessions for Mental Health Champions to provide the route with sufficient sign-posting support across all departments and locations. To date there are now c.105 mental health champions throughout Anglia who regularly offer support to fellow colleagues.

As a result, Neil has gained considerable support from his seniors and the executive team, as well as a mass following on our internal Yammer site. The recognition has gone so far that he was chosen by the route director as this year’s winner of the annual route director special award.

By raising awareness and supporting individuals in mental health, Neil has helped and supported line managers in how to look for signs in staff members and how to manage difficult conversations.

I think it is safe to say that because of Neil’s efforts, colleagues on Anglia route live healthier and happier lives. For Neil to have taken on this challenge and tackle such a massive undertaking is a great statement of his character and determination.“