Manchester mental health organisation, TalkOut Group, has expanded its business with several team appointments and the acquisition of VR company, VR Simulation Systems.
Founded by Jill Mead in 2019, TalkOut was created to tackle mental health stigma in the workplace through training and education.
This latest move sees the business expand to form TalkOut Group – a revolutionary network of mental health services designed to help businesses navigate new ways of working and support internal engagement following the disruptive coronavirus outbreak.
Thanks to the acquisition, TalkOut Group will now be able to offer workplaces across the country access to the best employee mental health support using the latest technology, in addition to its existing training and consultancy services.
As well as a new VR offering enabling employees to better understand and manage mental health through simulated environments, TalkOut Group has launched an app to help businesses connect and engage with teams as the nation adjusts to home working.
Rigorously tested for 18 months, and developed to work globally, the app helps businesses encourage collaboration, boost engagement, break down silos and provide crucial mental health support and counselling through a specialist chat function.
TalkOut Group has also grown its team with several new appointments. Tim Luft joins as chief technology officer to oversee the VR side of the business; Dan Rowe has been appointed to head up the group’s new MenTalk2 division; and Leanne Stant has been brought on as head of client relationships.
Jill Mead, founder and CEO of TalkOut Group, says: “The growth and success of the TalkOut business demonstrates that there is clearly a demand for better mental health provision in workplaces. And while this is a step in the right direction, there is still so much work to be done.
“With remote working – which can lead to isolation and anxiety – now commonplace in businesses across the globe, cultivating a connected, open, and collaborative workplace culture is no longer just a nice-to-have. It is an absolute necessity.
“Now more than ever, businesses are faced with both emotional and physical barriers that will impact on their success. Recognising the importance of boosting engagement, unlocking silos and accepting that we need to change how we communicate with our employees, will be key to thriving in this new working environment.”
