The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is announced as a Gold winner of the 2019 Mind workplace wellbeing index award

OPG was awarded the prestigious Gold award by Mind at a ceremony on Tuesday 30 April.

The Gold award is the highest that an organisation can receive. It’s only presented to organisations that have shown they have the right long-term policies and practices in place to support the wellbeing of employees.

Paul Farmer, CEO of Mind, said he was “impressed that (OPG) achieved the Gold award in (its) first year of taking part in the Mind index”.

OPG was also named the highest-ranking government organisation in the Mind workplace wellbeing index and awarded third place for staff participation out of 106 employers across public and private sectors.

In receiving the award, Public Guardian and chief executive Alan Eccles said: “In October 2016, we signed the Time to Change employer pledge, and promised we would provide a supportive environment for our staff. I am delighted that the work we have put in to create the right work environment has been positive for everyone who works at OPG. I am very honoured that we have been recognised in this way.”

OPG is also one of the few civil service organisations to hold the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, the national workplace wellbeing accreditation standard. In addition, OPG staff are well supported by mental health first aiders and mental health allies along with other internal networks which make the agency a great place to work.

The Foreign Secretary today visited the North East of Nigeria to show that the UK remains committed to supporting Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa. The UK has repeatedly called for the release of all those abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa and the protection of all civilians.

Jeremy Hunt visited the WFP (World Food Programme) warehouse in Maiduguri on the third day of his week-long trip to Africa, where he spoke to people providing life-saving support to millions who have fled their homes following attacks by terrorist groups. He also met with the UK Military Liaison and Support Team which is working with the Nigerian military.

Speaking in Maiduguri, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:

People are being forced from their homes by the evils of extremism and terrorism. Boko Haram and Islamic State are the antithesis of the values we all hold dear, and we will continue to support Nigeria in the fight to give people secure, prosperous and happy lives.

The UK is providing a substantial and increasing package of security, humanitarian and development support. This includes training and capacity building for Nigerian armed forces deploying in the North East. The UK has trained over 30,000 Nigerian troops in recent years.

As the second largest humanitarian donor, the UK government was one of the first to respond to the crisis, investing £300 million in live-saving aid over five years to reach over 1.5 million of the most vulnerable people. UK support is also addressing root causes of the conflict, helping the Nigerian Government to deliver for its citizens in the longer term, including in health and education.

The UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to the country in 2018, will increase the UK’s co-operation in the fight against terrorist groups and other security challenges.

Nigeria needs to plan for civilian-led stabilisation and development in areas where the military has ousted the terrorist groups. Together with international partners, the UK will continue supporting Nigeria and its neighbours to tackle threats to regional stability.

Video message from Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in Maiduguri

Foreign Secretary’s video message from Maiduguri

Further information

The Foreign Secretary today visited the North East of Nigeria to show the UK’s commitment to fighting Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa.

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