Norfolk trucker swaps driving for caring and becomes a mental health champion

A lorry-driver-turned-carer feels so passionately about mental health that he is helping to support his colleagues at a Norfolk care company.

Tony Lasham joined family-run, home-care provider Extra Hands almost 15 years ago, after he decided he wanted a change from lorry-driving and his family suggested he would be suited to a caring role.

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“I’ve had health problems and spent a lot of time in hospital and with carers myself,” he explained. “Afterwards I thought, should I do this? My family suggested I should try it, as they said I’m good with people, so I applied to different care firms in the area. I heard back from Extra Hands first, had my interview, and started work the week after that.”

The 48-year-old works out of the company’s Heacham office and said his life experience and mental health issues made him the perfect person to spearhead the company’s mental health support programme, which has recently seen the launch of a new app and the inclusion of the subject in induction training.

“Everyone shies away from mental health issues,” said Mr Latham, of Fakenham, who is now a qualified Mental Health First Aid Champion.
 
“But we all have mental health issues, and we need to talk about them. I’ve seen a lot of carers come and go over the years, and some don’t reach out and talk to other people. It’s all about communication – if nobody communicates, then nobody can help.

“With the current cost of living crisis, people are under a lot of stress. Or they might be finding something hard at work and be struggling to cope with it. I’m part of the Extra Hands support to help them out.”

The new mental health link is included within the existing Extra Hands app, which is installed on each staff mobile phone, and covers everything from training information to timesheets. It also provides contact information for Mr Latham, so carers can get in touch with him any time at the press of a button.

“If I’m at work and with a client, I obviously can’t answer right away,” he continued. “As soon as I finish the appointment, though, I can call back or text, and the carers know they can contact me 24/7. 

“I work my afternoons and evenings as a carer, and, the rest of the time, I’m either involved with training or I’m meeting carers anywhere they like, whether they come to me or I go to them, or we meet for a coffee or go for a walk around the block. It’s all completely confidential and everything stays between me and that person.

“It’s not about having all the answers or being able to fix everything – it’s about listening to their problems and being there as a friend, so they know they’re not on their own. It doesn’t matter how tiny an issue it is, they know they can call, and, the minute you’ve had a chat with someone, things don’t seem so bad. Sometimes you just need a friend to be with you, and interacting with someone else can make a huge difference.”

The new initiatives were introduced with the support of Extra Hands Training Manager Justin Mayes, who developed the app and amended the induction process, and Managing Director Joanne Tier.

“Justin and Jo have been like the twin jets on an aeroplane guiding me through it,” said Mr Latham.

“It’s something I’m passionate about, and the team at Extra Hands are right behind me. Extra Hands help carers as much as they can and there is support from the firm all the way. I absolutely love what I do.”

Extra Hands provide bespoke, home-care packages across West Norfolk and have a branch in Broadland as well as Heacham.