Introduction

At Premier Polytunnels, we have always been passionate about helping people grow. For over 35 years, our family-run business has focused on building strong, reliable polytunnels to protect your plants, fruits, and vegetables. But recently, we’ve been focusing on growing something just as vital – our support for workplace mental health.

That’s why we’re proud to announce that our Managing Director has become a qualified Mental Health First Aid Champion.

As a business rooted in family values, an accredited Living Wage and Living Hours Employer, and a tight-knit team of skilled professionals, we’ve always looked out for one another. This new qualification is the natural next step in ensuring our workplace is as healthy, supportive, and nurturing as the polytunnels we manufacture.

What is a Mental Health First Aid Champion?

A Mental Health First Aid Champion is someone who has undertaken specialist training to help promote positive mental health, challenge stigma, and encourage open conversations. They are trained to spot the early warning signs of stress, anxiety, or depression, offer a compassionate, non-judgmental ear, and guide people toward the professional support they might need.

MHFA Champions are not counsellors or therapists; instead, they act as advocates for wellbeing, helping to create workplaces where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health.

Why Mental Health Matters in Business

Running a successful business is about much more than delivering excellent products and services. It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.

Like many businesses across the UK, we recognise that modern life can present numerous challenges. Work pressures, family responsibilities, financial concerns, and everyday stresses can all impact mental wellbeing. Having a MHFA Champion within the business demonstrates a commitment to supporting employees not only professionally, but personally too.

Supporting the Premier Polytunnels Team

At Premier Polytunnels, we’re fortunate to have a dedicated and hardworking team who contribute every day to the success of our business. Whether working in manufacturing, constructing, sales, customer service, or logistics, every member of our team plays an important role.

In many traditional manufacturing businesses, talking about emotional wellbeing can sometimes feel daunting. By having our Managing Director step into the role of MHFA Champion, our incredible team of staff members know that mental wellbeing is starts at the top. They have a safe space, backed by a director who understands and is trained to help, ensuring a healthier, happier workplace where everyone can thrive.

Why our Workplace Wellbeing Matters to our Customers

Our commitment to mental health extends beyond our internal team. Many of our customers turn to gardening and growing not only for productivity and sustainability, but also for personal wellbeing. By introducing a MHFA Champion to our leadership team, we’re putting action behind our belief that mental health is a vital part of everyday life.

When you choose Premier Polytunnels, you are choosing a company that values compassion, understanding, and people-first principles. We recognise that behind every polytunnel project are people working towards something positive and meaningful, whether they're individuals, families, schools, businesses, community groups or others pursuing their own growing goals.

The Powerful Connection Between Gardening and Mental Wellbeing

At Premier Polytunnels, we’ve long understood the incredible connection between horticulture and mental health.

Gardening has been shown to offer significant benefits for mental wellbeing, including reducing stress, improving mood, encouraging physical activity, and creating opportunities for social connection. Horticultural therapy programmes across the UK continue to demonstrate how spending time growing plants and connecting with nature can support recovery, resilience, and overall wellbeing.

Stepping into the warm, sheltered environment of a polytunnel offers a unique green sanctuary away from the noise of the modern world. Whether you are potting up seedlings, watching flower bloom, or harvesting fresh homegrown produce, gardening activates what we like to call “petal power.”

Digging in the soil releases serotonin (the happy chemical in our brains), lower cortisol (stress hormones), and encourages mindfulness. A polytunnel extends the growing season, giving you a safe, therapeutic space to connect with nature all year round.

Looking Forward

At Premier Polytunnels, we believe that supporting mental health isn’t just good for business – it’s the right thing to do. Appointing a Mental Health First Aid Champion is part our ongoing commitment to wellbeing for our team and our customers.

Because ultimately, whether we’re growing plants or growing a business, the most important thing we can nurture is people.