THE North West Ambulance Service has committed to support the mental health wellbeing of its staff by signing the 'blue light - time to change' pledge.

The programme, led by mental health charity MIND, has led the charity to increase the number of 'champions' which offer one-to-one support to staff who have any mental health concerns.

This may include traumatic incidents at work or issues in their personal lives.

The service originally signed the pledge in 2016 with four champions working at one time, however now there are almost 100 support staff across the organisation.

Managers are being equipped to take responsibility and accountability for their staff’s mental health and overall wellbeing by having conversations, encouraging take up of health and wellbeing initiatives, providing information about mental health support and signposting to other support available.

The ambulance service chairman, Peter White, who signed the pledge on behalf the trust board, said: "I am delighted that we’re playing a part in not only trying to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, but ensuring there is vital support available to all our staff.

"The board have a responsibility to ensure this support continues and I would like to thank all the staff involved for their hard work and dedication."