What is on offer?

The South West Finance Academy is funding another 16 individuals to undertake Mental Health First Aid Training. This training will last 2 days and will be delivered online on the 9th and 10th February 2026. Each ICS is allocated two places and two places available for the NHS England regional team.

On this course delegates will gain:

• confidence to support others – Learn how to recognise signs of mental ill-health and offer initial help.
• practical skills – Develop active listening, empathic conversation, and safeguarding techniques.
• a structured approach – Understand and be aware of how to use a Mental Health Action Plan.
• awareness of cultural differences – Understand how mental health perceptions vary across communities.
• workplace impact – Foster a mentally healthy culture and break down stigma in professional settings.
• self-reflection tools – Gain insights into your own wellbeing and how to maintain resilience.
• certification options – Receive a certificate of attendance, with the option to complete an assessment for the Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid (RQF).

What is a Mental Health First Aider?

A Mental Health First Aider is qualified to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. This might be a work colleague who is in difficulty, or it might be someone outside the workplace. The Mental Health First Aider has been trained to listen, reassure, and respond, even in a crisis. Mental Health First Aiders are important to the maintenance of employee wellbeing. A Mental Health First Aider has been trained in proven techniques, using course materials that were developed with clinical practitioners. Everything taught on the course reflects people’s real lived experiences of poor mental health or mental discomfort.

Who can apply and what are the terms and conditions?

Each ICS is allocated two places and two places available for the NHS England regional team. If one ICS submits more applications and another does not use its allocation before the application deadline, we may consider reallocating places. If there are more than 16 applications, the strength of application will be assessed against a criteria and those that score the highest will be allocated the spaces available for each ICS and the NHS England team.

These funded places are specifically for those who have not completed this training before. In order to be allocated a funded place on the course, you must be:

• • Working in NHS finance in the South West
  • Registered as a Health and Wellbeing Champion with One NHS Finance
  • Available to attend both days for the training.

For immediate mental health support, please contact Samaritans at 116 123 or NHS 111.