A Southeastern employee who established a mental health charter to support colleagues across the railway industry has been recognised in the New Year Honours List.
Lee Woolcott-Ellis worked with the Rail Safety and Standards Board to introduce a framework to help rail companies promote, manage and support mental wellbeing.
It was designed to bring together best practice from across the industry to provide a framework to help companies improve mental wellbeing.
It’s been signed by more than 130 companies since 2021.
Lee will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Mental Health in Transport.
Reacting to the news, he said:
“I’m passionate about helping people, and I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved since launching the Railway Mental Health Charter.
“I was at work when the letter about the honour arrived, and I was totally surprised when I opened it. It’s a privilege to have been recognised by the industry that I care so much about and that’s been an important part of my life for many years.
“I am genuinely honoured, and profoundly grateful to be acknowledged in this way. This recognition means a great deal to me, and it truly warms my heart to know that my efforts have been appreciated.”
As well as establishing the Railway Mental Health Charter, Lee has also introduced a peer support programme to assist colleagues who have experienced a traumatic event, such as a workplace assault or suicide. It’s supported 110 colleagues since 2022.
The 60-year-old from Ramsgate joined Southeastern in 1990 and has worked in a range of roles, including in operations, safety, and engineering, before becoming mental health lead.
Southeastern's Managing Director Steve White said:
“Lee is a very special person. He has made a huge contribution to mental health on the railway and colleagues across the industry have benefited from his work.
“We are incredibly proud of everything he’s done so far. He is a huge credit to Southeastern, and we are thrilled that his achievements have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours.”
Natalie Sparrow, Southeastern’s Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing, added:
“Lee is a pioneer in mental health and has created a mental health-aware culture with programmes that support colleagues in Southeastern and beyond.
“His drive and inspiration have inspired colleague engagement and increased resiliency. There has long been stigma about mental health at work that’s changing thanks to people like Lee.”
