One organisation we’re especially proud to highlight is IED Training Solutions, part of the Aquaterra Training Group. Based in Angus and founded by former Royal Marines, the team bring a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for supporting others. Drawing on their lived experience from the forces, Ian Clark and his team bring a strong ethos of “looking out for the person next to you” into the workplace and that ethos is at the heart of the mental health and wellbeing training they now deliver across all sectors.
Supporting Rural Communities with RSABI
One initiative that has really stood out is their partnership with the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) which has made mental health training freely available to rural businesses across Scotland.
So far, more than 800 people in varied roles across the sector have completed the training. The idea is simple but powerful: by giving people the skills to spot the signs of someone struggling, start a supportive conversation and point them towards help, communities become stronger, kinder and more resilient.
“It’s about making sure people know they’re not alone,” explains Ian Clark, Director of IED Training Solutions. “In the Marines, we learned the importance of looking after one another. We’ve taken that same principle and built training that can help people in everyday workplaces.”
Why This Matters
Life throws challenges at all of us, and difficult experiences can affect anyone’s mental health. That’s why programmes like this are so important — they don’t just raise awareness, they provide practical skills that help businesses and communities look after their people.
How to Get Involved
We know a lot of our members across Angus work in, or support those in the the agriculture sector, you can access this training for free through RSABI. Learn more about their support here: https://www.rsabi.org.uk/
Businesses in other sectors can explore a wide range of mental health and wellbeing courses delivered by IED Training Solutions, including Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) and Mental Health First Aid.
Find out more here: https://www.ied-training.co.uk/mental-health-wellbeing/
As Suicide Prevention Week reminds us, we all have a part to play in supporting each other. By shining a light on the work of IED Training Solutions and RSABI, we hope more people see just how powerful these initiatives can be - not just in rural Scotland, but in any workplace.
Picture features: David Leggat (RSABI Trustee), Carol McLaren (RSABI Chief Executive), and former Royal Marine Major Hugh Jones of IED Training Solutions
Rizon Training Ltd
Rizon empowers businesses in high-risk industries by providing practical training courses, strategic development and tailored workshops that support your organisational goals.
