Blackburn is one of five industry professionals taking part in TTG Media and Abta LifeLine’s Get Travel Talking Champions scheme, which aims to keep up mental health awareness and boost support as the industry continues its recovery from the pandemic.

Each Champion will undertake a two-day mental health first-aid training course run by St John Ambulance, learning practical skills to spot common signs of workplace mental-health struggles and effectively guide those in need towards the right support.

Training course places have been funded by a collection at last year’s Travel Industry Awards by TTG, and TTG will follow the Champions as they complete their training and share their experiences to further raise mental health awareness.

In the first video of the series released on Monday (9 May), Idle Travel director and Get Travel Talking Champion Tony Mann talked about his hopes for helping industry peers improve their mental health and the importance of having someone you are able confide to in.

Meanwhile, in the second video of of the series, fellow Champion and Love To Travel agent Gina McRobbie recalled her struggles of being away from her family during lockdowns and why it’s vital to make time for yourself amid an incredibly busy and stressful time for the industry.

In the third video, Get Travel Talking Champion and Vertical Systems managing director Chris North discussed his personal story with mental health challenges and why he believes it is essential more travel industry leaders tackle the stigma around the subject.