The mental wellbeing of residents and employees alike is important to Doveleigh Care and there are now members of staff in all three homes who have completed a mental health course to help them support their colleagues.

The latest person to take the course is Bex Scotland, based at Doveridge in Colyton. She said she had built up good relationships with both staff and residents during her time there, so it made sense for her to undertake the training to become Doveridge's Mental Wellbeing Ambassador.

Bex said: "This role has given me the opportunity to go further with mental health training so I can gain more knowledge and understanding of mental health, which can allow me to support others within the workplace.

"One in six people a week can suffer with their mental health and just by offering to sit and listen to someone, or point them in the right direction to the correct support they need could make such a huge difference to the individual.

"At Doveridge we have a wellbeing board that I update with lots of mental health leaflets and information, which is accessible to both staff and residents. We have also put together different staff questionnaires so that staff can speak out about any struggles they might be facing."

Bex added: "I really enjoyed this course. It's well set out and informative, but also very eye-opening. We never know what someone else could be going through, so it's always important to be kind."

Stacie McGrory said: "Within my time for working for Doveleigh care Limited, my own confidence has grown enormously, and this has projected in my attitude and my approach, to make everybody smile every day weather this be the resident's staff or family's. My own personal developments well working for Doveleigh care has given me a keen interest to take on all training and learn new skills every day.

"In my job role I have built professional and caring relationships with all the staff, taking on the role of mental health first aider.

"Taking part in the training for this has enabled me to not only understand my own mental health, (which has been an essential part in being able to understand and empathise with others) but enabled me to always having an listening ear and a positive mind set, and as a result I have been able to use the knowledge learnt, to point staff to the right channels.

"Here at Arcot house we have a WOW wall which staff use to write each message of encouragement and appreciation, this helps to uplift and enhance the general mood, as well as staff wellbeing boxes with tasty treats. Who doesn't love chocolate and sweets!"