Marka Training and Development

Home
United Kingdom
Romsey
Marka Training and Development

We help organisations build confident, mentally healthy teams through impactful training. Our mission?

At Marka Training & Development, we help people and organisations build confidence, skills, and wellbeing through practical, high-quality training. We’re a Qualsafe Registered Centre and CPD-accredited provider, offering tailored, high-quality courses to meet your organisation’s unique needs. Our courses cover:
✅ Mental Health in the Workplace
✅ Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
✅ Supportive Conversations (SPACE©)
✅ Supportive Conversations for Schools
✅ Safeguarding
✅ SAFE© Interviewing

Based in Hampshire, we’re proud to work with organisations across the South of England, and throughout the UK and beyond. To deliver training that matters, empowering your teams to support, lead, thrive, and make a difference.

22/10/2025

As the mornings grow darker and the days shorter, it’s not just the weather that changes, it’s our mood and energy too.

For some of us this can go beyond the “winter blues” and becomes Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D), a recognised form of depression linked to seasonal change that affects around 1 in 15 people in the UK each winter.

In the workplace, that might look like lower energy, loss of motivation, or people feeling a bit more withdrawn. It’s easy to miss or misunderstand, but with awareness, empathy, and small supportive actions, managers and teams can help make things a little easier.

In our latest blog, we explore:
• What S.A.D is and how it shows up at work
• Practical self-care and awareness tips for employees
• How managers can create supportive spaces during the darker months
• How the 10 Keys to Happier Living can help boost wellbeing through winter

Read the blog here:
https://marka-td.com/wellbeing/seasonal-affective-disorder-in-the-workplace

Do you notice a change in mood or energy at this time of year?
How do you take care of yourself or your team as winter sets in?

15/10/2025

We ask a lot of our managers. Lead the team. Drive performance. Support wellbeing. Manage change. And all while keeping themselves resilient too.

The truth is, most managers have never been trained to handle this balance. They want to support people’s mental health, but they also need to maintain performance and navigate constant change. Without the right tools, that’s a heavy load.

That’s why we created our Mental Health for Managers training.

It equips managers to:

✅ Spot the early signs when someone may be struggling
✅ Open supportive conversations that build trust
✅ Lead with empathy while still driving performance and embracing change

Because supporting mental health and maintaining high performance aren’t opposites, the best managers know how to do both.

When we support our managers, they’re in the strongest position to support their teams.

📞 Book your free 30-minute call - with no pressure and no obligation.

Let’s explore how we can support your managers to thrive.

hashtag hashtag

06/10/2025

UK sickness absence is now 9.4 days per employee, the highest in over 15 years. The new CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work 2025 report shows a clear trend: absence is rising, and mental health is at the heart of it.

🔹 Average absence: 9.4 days per employee (up from 5.8 in 2019)
🔹 Mental ill health is the leading cause of long-term absence (41% of organisations)
🔹 Short-term absence: minor illness dominates, but mental ill health and stress feature strongly
🔹 64% of organisations report stress-related absence, with heavy workloads top of the list

What does this tell us?
Tackling absence and wellbeing isn’t about one quick fix.
It takes a whole-organisation approach:

✅ Leaders who own wellbeing and model openness, setting norms from the top
✅ Managers equipped to hold supportive conversations and spot early signs of distress
✅ Teams with psychological safety, clear communication, and resilience built in
✅ Staff who are trained, confident to use tools, know how to self-manage but are not left alone

At Marka Training & Development, that’s exactly what we do.
We partner with organisations to build healthier, more supportive cultures - not just through one course, but through a portfolio of training that works together.

👉 If you’re ready to take a joined-up approach to wellbeing, let’s talk.

hello@marka-td.com
marka-td.com

11/09/2025

Some students carry heavy days behind quiet faces.
They hand in homework, laugh with friends, and still feel far away from themselves.
A conversation isn’t therapy, and it isn’t a fix, but it can be a first protective step. This week is a reminder that what we do in ordinary moments matters - noticing small changes, offering a simple human invitation to talk, listening without rushing to solve, and keeping the edges clear so what’s shared is recorded and passed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead are so important.
Behind every quiet struggle is someone who needs to be heard - and someone who was trying their best to help. Everyday, boundaried conversations, naming hard things when it’s right, can open a safer path. The core skills don’t change across cultures or languages: notice, invite, listen, record, escalate, follow through.
SAFE© Conversations focus on those early, everyday skills. It isn’t clinical intervention training, but it helps staff feel steadier in the first moments and know when to hand concerns on.
And if, as you’re listening, something in you says this can’t wait, trust that feeling. Follow your safeguarding policy and seek urgent help.
©Conversations

08/09/2025

In almost every training we run, there’s a quiet pause when we reach this question:

Is it okay to ask someone directly about su***de?

✅ Yes — and many people feel relief when it’s asked plainly.

You don’t need perfect words. Use your own. Notice what’s changed, say you care, and give time for an honest answer.

💬 You might try asking:
👉 “I’ve noticed a few changes and I’m worried about you. Are you thinking about su***de?”

💬 And if someone opens up, you might respond with:
👉 “Thank you for telling me. I’m here.”

If the person isn’t ready to talk, that’s okay too. What matters is that they know you’ve noticed and you’re there. You can check in again, choose a quieter moment, or help them find someone they’d feel safer speaking to.

⚠️ If you’re worried about immediate risk, stay with them and get support.

📌 If you’re in the UK and need help now:
📞 Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
📱 Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7)
🚨 Call 999 in an emergency

No promotion today — just a quiet encouragement to check in on someone if you can. 💙

And if you’re going through a difficult time yourself, please don’t hesitate to let someone know.
✨ You matter.

👉 This is a hard conversation for many people — what helps you find the words to start?

04/09/2025

🌱 Mental Health First Aid – is it enough?

I’ve seen a lot of people asking this question lately, so I wanted to share my take.

Mental Health First Aid won’t fix workplace culture on its own.
It’s not a replacement for good policies, supportive leadership, or access to specialist help.

But it is an important first step.

✅ It helps staff notice when something’s not right
💬 It gives them the confidence to start supportive conversations
🤝 It reassures colleagues that someone is ready to listen and act
🏗️ And it builds the foundations for a culture where mental health matters as much as physical health

That’s the difference MHFA makes: it turns hesitation into action.

One of our course attendees told me afterwards:
“I finally feel ready to ask the question I’ve been avoiding for weeks.”

That’s why we deliver the Qualsafe-accredited Level 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace (RQF) — because every workplace deserves people who feel confident enough to step in and support.

✨ On its own, MHFA isn’t the full solution. But it’s the step that helps people feel safer, more supported, and more able to look out for each other.

21/08/2025

Wherever we go in the world, school staff ask the same questions:

💭 How do I know if a child is struggling but isn’t saying anything?
💭 What do I say if a student shares something personal with me?
💭 How can I make sure I’m supportive without overstepping?

Different countries. Different challenges. Same need:
Adults who can listen, respond, and act when children need them. 💬✨

15/08/2025

Need to reset and recharge? Summer’s your perfect opportunity.
Spot signs of stress, build trust in your team, and kick off supportive habits before September hits.

Discover how—in our latest blog:

https://marka-td.com/mental-health/reset-recharge-re-focus-why-summer-is-the-perfect-time-to-prioritise-mental-health-at-work/

🌐 Explore more at: www.marka-td.com

If you’ve been meaning to make your workplace more supportive, this could be the perfect moment to start. 🌱

12/08/2025

What an inspiring time in Zurich!
We had the pleasure of working with the amazing staff team at ICS Inter-Community School Zurich, delivering SAFE Conversations training.
It was all about giving staff the confidence to have those sensitive, caring conversations with students who might be finding things difficult, showing changes in behaviour, or raising concerns.
We looked at:
✅ How to respond to concerns safely, knowing how to start and guide a supportive conversation, while recognising when to pause to protect the safeguarding process.
✅ Keeping the child’s wellbeing at the centre of every conversation.
✅ Making safeguarding a shared responsibility across the whole school.
It was so inspiring to see how much ICS is doing to make safeguarding a clear priority across the whole school community. A huge thank you to the leadership team for the warm welcome and for leading the way in this vital work.

09/08/2025

Leadership isn’t just about strategy and results, it’s about people.
The best leaders don’t just manage their teams, they connect with them.
They listen. They understand. They care.

Empathetic leadership builds trust, boosts morale, and creates workplaces where people feel safe to speak up and do their best work. It’s about:

✅ Being present and non-judgmental
✅ Understanding different perspectives
✅ Encouraging open, honest communication
✅ Empowering people to thrive

At Marka, we help leaders and managers grow these skills so they can lead with empathy and confidence.

If you want to build a culture where people feel seen, heard, and supported, , we’d love to chat.

Drop us a message or visit marka-td.com.

28/07/2025

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about men’s mental health in the workplace.

In my work with managers and teams, I’ve seen how many men keep showing up and saying “I’m fine” even when they’re feeling overwhelmed or lost.

Often, colleagues and managers don’t know how to spot the signs or how to start those crucial conversations without crossing boundaries.

That’s why we’re passionate about helping workplaces:

✅ Build a culture where it’s okay to ask for help
✅ Equip managers to have confident, supportive conversations
✅ Break the stigma and silence around mental health

In our latest blog, I share why men’s mental health deserves more attention at work, what to look out for, and how we can all help create safer, more supportive workplaces.

👉 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/eA_NpHMf

🌐 www.marka-td.com

💬 Let’s make sure no one feels they have to struggle alone.

25/07/2025

A few truly meaningful days in Cambodia 💛

We’ve just finished delivering our Level 3 Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace course to the amazing team at the Child Protection Unit (CPU), based at The Lotus Centre.

The work CPU does to protect vulnerable children and support communities across Cambodia is nothing short of incredible. It’s tough, emotional work and it was so inspiring to see how seriously they take the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.

By investing in MHFA training, they’re not only raising awareness but also building a supportive culture where people feel safe to speak up, check in with one another, and look after their emotional health.

Thank you all for your enthusiastic participation and efforts.

Address

Top Floor, Buckley House, 31A The Hundred
Romsey
SO518GD

Telephone

+447947483351

Website

https://marka-td.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Marka Training and Development posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Marka Training and Development:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Romsey?