ALGEE – What is it and how does it help you respond in crisis and non-crisis situations

What is ALGEE and how can it help you respond in crisis and non-crisis situations?

Most of us would feel confident to know what to do if we found someone physically in trouble – paracetamol for a headache, pressure for bleeding and call a doctor if generally feeling unwell. But dealing with a mental health situation can feel more daunting.

Our Mental Health First Aid course (MHFA) gives you the skills and confidence to respond to crisis and non-crisis situations in the workplace.

During our Mental Health First Aid course, we look at the action plan ALGEE (Approach, Assess, Assist, Listen and Communicate Non-Judgmentally, Give Support and Information, Encourage Professional Help, Encourage other Supports and Self-Help) and how this can be put into practice if you find yourself face-to-face with a mental health crisis or situation.

ALGEE is a widely recognised step-by-step action plan that is used to support someone who may be experiencing a distressing situation, just as you would use First Aid for an accident.

The MHFA ALGEE action plan has 5 steps which can be used in any order:

• 1) Approach/Assess risk – Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis. Find a suitable time and place to start a conversation, keeping their privacy in mind.
• 2) Listen – Listen and communicate non-judgmentally. Let them talk and be heard. Try to have empathy even if you don’t agree with what they are saying.
• 3) Give support and helpful information – Once you have listened to what they are saying, be prepared to give reassurance, hope and useful facts.
• 4) Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help – It’s important to recommend seeking help and direct them to relevant support. The earlier someone gets help, the quicker their recovery.
• 5) Encourage other supports – this can include identifying a support network and creating an emotional and physical support plan.

There is no one size fits all approach when using this plan and remember if someone is in danger, to themselves or others, remain calm and call 999.

For more information on our MHFA courses, visit www.bnsheconsultancy.com call us on 07584125665 or email info@bnshe.co.uk.

Ciprian Ostafie Planning and Compliance Manager Encompass Environmental Ltd "Here at Encompass Environmental Ltd, we were looking for a consultancy to assist with our management system to obtain ISO Certifications. BN SHE was recommended to us, and we are so pleased that we got the help and support of Neil and his team – we couldn’t have asked for more. In a very professional, efficient, and cost-effective way, Neil and the team have assisted us to set up our Integrated Management System and obtain the ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 Certifications. And not only that, the Integrated Management System that has been set up by them also meets the requirements of RISQS. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all the help and support throughout this process and to any organisation out there that is looking for consultancy within Health and Safety and Management Systems, we believe, without a shadow of a doubt that BN SHE Consultancy Ltd is the company to steer you in the right direction."

Luke Wellings Manager Trueline Expanded Products Ltd "Trueline got in touch with BN SHE following a visit from the HSE in which an improvement notice was issued. In order for us to comply with health and safety legislation we needed a fully compliant health and safety management system that was not only comprehensive and effective but enforced and communicated to employees. BN SHE immediately identified what we needed at Trueline and designed a bespoke action plan to achieve results in a short period of time. Not only was an action plan created but Bonita created all policies and procedures we needed to become compliant and made sure I was involved at every stage so I could understand and enforce our new system. The service BN SHE provided was extremely professional and we could not have been any happier, not only did our health and safety culture improve but Bonita gave me the confidence and knowledge to continue to improve the health and safety of our employees."

Dr. Noel John Compliance Director LCI Rail "We enlisted BNSHE to implement an integrated management system during 2018 that would be in compliance with ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001. This project was to be from start to finish and they should also attend the ISO certification audit (UKAS). We worked with both Neil and Bonny at times during this project which was seamless from beginning to end. Neil even managed to cross reference and signpost to existing processes required for our Rail RISQS compliance. We started in April and by September we were a certificated organisation. I have no hesitation in recommending the BNSHE team to any organisation who is looking for someone who delivers on what they promise they are just brilliant!"

Mike Wilding Director DT Contracting (SW) Ltd "After many years working with a multitude of consultants negotiating the myriad of compliance accreditations necessary to operate within the highly regulated construction industry we were fortunate to be introduced to BN SHE Consultancy Ltd. In a relatively short time Bonny and Neil have streamlined and updated all our internal SHEQ systems resulting in our ISO9001:2015 certification being achieved in less than a year. We are currently working towards ISO14001 and ISO45001 with the full guidance of BN SHE Consultancy Ltd, who also provide us with effective ongoing support in maintaining our SSIP and RISQS accreditations. The service extends to regular site audits and clear, objective reviews of our contract documentation in relation to SHEQ. Above all the support our team receives is always proactive and entirely professional, giving us an extra level of confidence in our day to day operations in what can still be very much a high risk industry. We would have no hesitation in recommending BH SHE Consultancy Ltd to other companies within the industry"

Joe Reynolds Operations Director AK Industries "BN SHE were approached to form part of our HSE support network and aid AKI with our Health & Safety (ISO 45001) and Environmental (ISO 14001) certification. Not only did BN SHE support with the development and implementation of a new integrated HSE management system but they proved invaluable in skilling up internal staff and worked directly with the external accreditation body during the initial audits, making them both pain and non-conformance free. BN SHE currently form part of our health & safety committee and provide invaluable direct day to day support for all our HSE needs. In summary BN SHE have helped remove the fog of confusion around HSE and made it something AKI are now proud of."

Michael Cirstean Managing Director Dynamic Group Limited "Dynamic Group were looking for a company to help us with an integrated management system; ISO 9001, 14001 AND 45001 that would incorporate our rail management system to give us a solution for the whole business. We were referred to BN SHE and Neil was assigned to us to review our current systems. As soon as we were able to present to Neil our audit results he attended our offices and put together an action plan to adopt all the necessary processes and procedures required for us to reach the acquired standard. The speed in which Neil put our systems together is testament to the great service they provide. We gave them a narrow window within which we wanted to achieve these standards and working management system and they certainly delivered with time to spare. To help us through the process Neil often dealt with enquiries outside of office hours and this still further helped with a smoother process. Very professional at all times and highly recommended. Thank you to the BN SHE Team "

Beverley Heath MooD Account Manager CACI Ltd (Information Intelligence Group) "Neil supplied us with the technical expertise, business acumen, and encouragement to achieve what we knew to be a challenge: achieving ISO 45001 certification in less than 2 months. At the time we brought Neil, and his company BNSHE, in to advise us, our organisation was very comfortable with the people aspects of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S). The technical side, the understanding of the ISO standard, and the minute level of detail needed to evidence the wider OH&S landscape, was new territory for us. Neil quickly absorbed information on the essence of our core business and tailored a package of policies, procedures, registers and forms that filled any gaps left by our company's other documents. This ensured we had every clause of the ISO standard covered by a cohesive OH&S Management System that was relevant to us, and therefore would not be simply "shelf ware". As our internal auditor, Neil was rigorous in seeking out non-conformities and opportunities for improvement and put us on a sound footing for the audits that followed rapidly. The service Neil offers in continued support and advice, and provision of tailored OH&S updates, is important to help us maintain a strong OH&S system and we have happily contracted with BNSHE for this. Neil's patience, calmness and good humour were reassuring at all times and we very much enjoyed working with him. We are very grateful to Neil for what he has helped us achieve: in fact we are not at all sure we could have done this without him."

Megan McHale Compliance Manager Flatley Construction Limited "We worked closely with BN SHE Consultancy Ltd, to implement an integrated management system; IS0 9001, 14001 & 45001. After getting to know our business, BN SHE produced a system which is reflective of us as a company, easy to understand and therefore easy to implement. We would like to thank Neil and the team at BN SHE for being available evenings and weekends to answer any questions we had leading up to our audits. We would also like to thank them for helping us become an ISO certified business, which will allow us to tender for further work in the future."

Katie Shooter Manager AesthetiCare & Ferndale Pharmaceuticals Ltd "Health and Safety is no longer something to be scared of in our company. We have been working with BN SHE Consultancy Ltd for over a year now, and this has just become a part of our daily routine. BN SHE always ensure we are fully compliant with Health and Safety regulations, and that we have the correct Risk Assessments in place which fall in line with business change. I would highly recommend BN SHE Consultancy Ltd."