UGL's Funky Shirt Friday

In a world that sometimes seems like it’s moving at the speed of light, taking a step back to focus on mental health can be a real game changer. At UGL, a simple yet powerful initiative has been making waves this year with the help of Lenare Rose Sorensen, Estimator in our Transport Manufacturing and Maintenance business, and it all centers around donning fresh, vibrant, and funky shirts each Friday.

Since the start of the year, the tradition of wearing funky shirts on Fridays has gained momentum with the Broadmeadow team, serving as a conversation starter and a catalyst for important dialogues about mental health. It is not just about making a bold fashion statement; it’s about making an even bolder statement about the importance of mental health and wellbeing.

Shane Tipton, UGL Project Manager, came up with a brilliant idea - a Funky Shirt Friday team photo. The surprise was when Stephen Carmody, Wagon Product Manager, presented a captivating image of the engineering team, dressed in their most flamboyant attire, standing on the steps of the former Cardiff admin building from circa 1995.

When the call went out to recreate the 28-year-old photo, the response was resounding. Team members didn’t need to be asked twice. Some came prepared with funky shirts, some bought new ones for the occasion, and one even happened to still have his from the original photo.

In a world where mental health issues affect so many, the simple act of wearing a funky shirt on a Friday has sparked meaningful conversations, brought people together, and shown that, by taking ownership of our mental health, we can make a real difference.