On Demand Logistics invests in staff wellbeing, finds dividends in support and skills with Education Unlimited

In the fast-paced transport and logistics sector, nurturing staff wellbeing isn't just a perk; it underpins success. On Demand Group showed its commitment by partnering with Education Unlimited to deliver the impactful GoodYarn mental wellbeing training. The organisation prides itself on being ‘transport people supplying the transport industry’. The Group comprises three companies: On Demand Recruitment, On Demand Training and On Demand Transport. Each offers its own specialised and professional service to cater for the needs of the transport and logistics industry. 

On Demand Logistics recognised a need for practical wellbeing skills

AJ Scorringe manages training at On Demand and said they saw an opportunity for their team. "We wanted to get our staff upskilled around the signs of mental health struggles. It is important for them to understand how to be supportive without acting as counsellors.

The goal was to define boundaries and empower staff. "We wanted our team to be aware of where that line is drawn. What can we do to help our people, and when do we recognise it's time to connect them with a professional?”

The search for the right training led them to Education Unlimited and the GoodYarn programme, which was recommended through an industry connection full of praise.

Investing in wellbeing yields tangible business benefits

AJ believes supporting staff wellbeing is a wise investment. "It will pay back in dividends if you look after the mental health of your staff," he explains.

The training affirmed that senior leadership at On Demand share expectations for their role: "It's our responsibility to take care of our own staff because if they're not in a good mental space, they can't be there to help our learners".

The GoodYarn workshop provided practical, actionable tools

Education Unlimited facilitated the GoodYarn workshop during one of On Demand's regular staff professional learning days. This half-day session is designed as a hands-on way to make conversations about mental health easier and more effective in the workplace.

The programme equips participants to:

·  recognise signs and symptoms of stress and common mental health issues

·  build confidence to initiate supportive conversations

·  know how to guide individuals towards professional help

·  learn everyday actions to protect personal and collective wellbeing.

Effective facilitation created a safe space for learning

AJ says Education Unlimited's facilitators underpin the programme's success. "What I loved about Maureen is that she takes a relaxed approach while remaining professional. It makes everyone happy to open up".

“Maureen didn't lecture; she engaged. She made it about us”. This is high praise from AJ, who is a skilled trainer himself.

"Maureen was really good at making us all feel comfortable and able to share, even though many of the teams hadn’t met before the session. Her use of relatable personal stories and humour resonated deeply.” AJ adds that some staff even planned to incorporate activities Maureen used into their own training sessions.

On Demand staff reported increased awareness and confidence

Feedback following the GoodYarn workshop was overwhelmingly positive. Staff appreciated the practical, adaptable nature of the content. "They treated it kind of like a smorgasbord," AJ observed. "They picked up things they thought were useful for themselves and then others they could use in interactions with our learners".

Crucially, the training heightened awareness. “You might just brush things off and think, 'ah, that person is just having a bad day.' But if it's something that consistently happens, then it could be more. We’re now aware about what to look out for," says AJ.

AJ is most pleased about the impact on learner support at On Demand. "The biggest benefit is how our staff might be able to look out for those signs in our learners. The workshop highlighted the power of simple gestures, reinforcing that little things can make a big difference. So just taking the time to go and have a cup of tea with someone or bring someone a bit of food can be massive".

GoodYarn adds value to the organisation

Looking ahead, AJ advises other organisations to move beyond viewing mental health training as merely a compliance task.

"I still think at times, it is a bit of a tick box," he admits. "My advice would be that getting it right will pay dividends. I definitely think the GoodYarn programme is worth having in an organisation".

He says there’s also value beyond the workplace for those who have family members struggling with mental health. The combination of practical content and skilled facilitation is effective. "It's important to have a good presenter. And Maureen was the right presenter for our crowd".

The partnership between On Demand Logistics and Education Unlimited showcases how targeted, well-delivered wellbeing training can empower staff, enhance support structures, and ultimately contribute to a healthier, more effective organisation. If you'd like to talk about how this might work for your organisation, let's kōrero!

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