CalMac ferries sends hampers to encourage wellbeing conversations

PSS member CalMac Ferries marked this year’s Mental Health in Ports week with a simple but powerful initiative designed to bring teams together and allow time for open conversations about wellbeing.

The annual campaign week, led by PSS, encourages ports to recognise mental health and wellbeing as part of the wider health and safety remit. Ports are encouraged to use the week as an opportunity to create space for discussion, reflection, and support.

At CalMac, that commitment has been brought to life through the delivery of food hampers to teams across its port locations. Each site has received a hamper, and colleagues are encouraged to share a cuppa and a biscuit, taking the opportunity to pause, connect, and check in with one another during the working day.

The seemingly small and simple act of taking the time to sit down with colleagues and catch up can have a huge effect on mental wellbeing and overall safety. Teams who are more aware of how colleagues are feeling will be better able to spot when things aren’t quite right, and taking more of an interest in each other’s wellbeing will improve overall safety and culture.

The initiative at CalMac, launched by Head of Operations Finlay MacRae and Head of Harbour Operations Fraser Wallace, highlighted the importance of making time for these conversations, not just during the campaign week, but throughout the year.

PSS members are encouraged to read and share the articles posted over the week and consider ways to give their teams the opportunity to have more open conversations about mental health and wellbeing.