CSF

B&C and CSF to host virtual roundtable on mental health and wellbeing in financial services




Bridging & Commercial will be hosting its next virtual roundtable in partnership with Crystal Specialist Finance (CSF), as part of the brokerage’s ongoing mental health and wellbeing campaign.

The live, interactive event will be held on 28th April at 1pm and will be moderated by Medianett’s editor, Beth Fisher.

The topic will be: ‘The importance of improving awareness of mental health and wellbeing in financial services’.

Jason Berry, group sales and marketing director at CSF, will be joined on the panel by Paula Purdy, intermediary sales manager for the North division at Together; Scott Howitt, sales director at Chartwell Mortgage Services; Gavin Seaholme, head of sales at Shawbrook Bank; and Andrew Montlake, managing director at Coreco.

During the event, the panel will discuss CSF’s latest mental health and wellbeing survey results to uncover the common challenges the specialist finance industry is facing and how they can be tackled.

The conversation will also look at ways to boost workplace wellbeing, including how companies should be approaching a return to office working while keeping in mind employees’ individual circumstances, as well as how employers can encourage an open dialogue when it comes to mental health.

In addition, the panellists will talk about their personal experiences with regard to how they have overcome challenges in the past that affected their wellbeing.

Registration is open and it is free to attend for all professionals working in the sector. 

The panel will be taking questions during the session and attendees are encouraged to get involved. 

The event will also be available to watch after 28th April on B&C.

Commenting ahead of the event, Jason said: “Our sector undoubtedly has a crucial role to play in rebuilding the UK economy post Covid. 

“While previous experience suggests there is a resilience which can be relied upon from those operating in the financial services marketplace, surveys continue to demonstrate that more support is needed particularly to assist individuals with mental health and poor sleep patterns. 

“I really hope that by sharing inspirational storylines alongside tried and tested hints and tips, some useful help is provided.”

Paula added: “Mental health is so important and, until recently, it has not been a subject people have felt comfortable to openly talk about. 

“With the impact of Covid -19, it has heightened the importance of this. 

“Hopefully, with an initiative like this, people in our industry will have the confidence to talk with someone they trust and that will make a difference.”

Andrew agreed with Paula, adding that there was still much more work to do to ensure the mental health of those working within financial services is recognised and looked after. 

“We do know it is okay not to be okay, but being able to talk about it without fear is imperative.”

Scott commented: “The last 12 months have possibly been the strangest in my own career and in that of very many, I would imagine. 

“Our working practices have changed and so have our ‘normal’ working days. 

“In a period of time when many of my own staff and colleagues have had to adapt, it is very important that we don’t just assume that people will just adapt and get on with it — things are different and will probably remain that way; the new norm is different.” 

The virtual roundtable is part of CSF’s ongoing mental health and wellbeing campaign, which aims to help individuals in the sector identify and take the necessary steps to overcome isolation, stress, grief, financial worries and fears about the future.

The brokerage has also launched a series of interviews, in which 12 key industry personnel talk openly about personal challenges and mental health matters.

The first three interviews with Scott Howitt, Andrew Montlake and Jeremy Duncombe, director of mortgage distribution at Yorkshire Building Society and managing director at Accord, are available to watch on the CSF Youtube channel.

Viewers will be advised that some of the videos contain references to grief and suicide.

Mind, the mental health charity which provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, has a confidential information and support line, Mind Infoline, available on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am - 6pm, Monday – Friday).

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

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