The Cumberland, based in Carlisle and with branches across the county and beyond, is working with Owl Blue, a not-for-profit organisation in Maryport, to care for its people’s mental health – and they’re seeing some remarkable results. Now the business is working to raise awareness of neurodivergent conditions in the workplace to make the working environment more inclusive for all.
Stuart McDougall created Owl Blue in 2009 as a slightly different charity but changed direction after discovering demand for help around hidden disabilities was growing. He and his wife Nichola offer advice to businesses and out in the community. They also offer workshops, and have run two at The Cumberland with over 60 attendees.
As a result, colleagues were provided with signposting to Owl Blue for anyone interested in receiving individual support for themselves, or their friends or family. One of those who did so was Development Manager Sean Turney. He’d struggled with anxiety and, at a time of considerable stress, his GP recommended he try a short course of antidepressants. He agreed, but was still taking them 13 years later. Then he had a phone call with Nichola at Owl Blue.
“The Cumberland has invested heavily in the wellbeing of its workforce,” Sean says. “My understanding of neurodiversity has improved significantly through our training workshops with Owl Blue, online events such as Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and support networks established for people across the business with similar experiences.
"I was encouraged to speak with Nichola, and we chatted about my long-standing anxiety alongside other “hidden” challenges in my life; things that even my closest friends and family didn’t know about. As I talked to Nichola I realised that lightbulbs were coming on – there is far more behind my anxiety than I ever imagined. Now everything in my life makes much more sense, and it is thought that I am autistic.
“The reaction and support from my family, friends and colleagues at The Cumberland has been overwhelmingly positive. My brother took great pleasure in telling me that he always thought I was a little bit odd; we just laughed together. I’ve quickly learned to embrace it and I now feel empowered to help others.”
Thanks to Owl Blue, Sean is now on a journey to getting a potential diagnosis of autism and is learning more about the condition every day. He has recently embarked on a qualification in Understanding Autism, with mentoring from Nichola and the team at Owl Blue.
“Everyone presents differently,” he says. “One hour with Nichola changed my life. I was talking to somebody who understood everything I was saying. So many people are in the same situation and she just got it.”
Now The Cumberland has made a donation of £1,000 to Owl Blue in recognition of the invaluable work that they do within the community and the support that they have provided to the business and their people. The People and Culture team are also working on a neurodiversity toolkit on the back of everything they are learning which will help raise awareness and provide guidance and support across the business.
Nichola adds: “We do this out of a desire to help people, whether that’s face to face, via Zoom, or through workshops or training courses. It’s all about getting understanding, inclusion and equality. It’s brilliant to see that big companies like The Cumberland are taking such an interest in their workforce and their customers to help those struggling in silence.”
Abbie Curzon, People Coordinator at The Cumberland, said: “With Nichola, Stuart and Geoff at Owl Blue, we’ve been inspired to raise awareness, understanding and provide support for those with neurodivergent conditions.
For more information about Owl Blue visit www.owlblue.org