As an employer, we aim to be open and supportive. We aim to consider the needs of our employees and provide a workplace environment that allows our employees to thrive. As Operations Manager, I feel a responsibility for the health and wellbeing of all the team. Beers (or soft drinks) on Fridays and the ability to wear shorts is great but there’s so much more we can do.
This year we have built on our Mental Health Manifesto and introduced Staying Well Plans for all staff. These enable us to plan in advance and develop tailored support for a time when colleagues are not coping so well. It facilitates open dialogue – leading to practical, agreed steps which can form the basis for regular monitoring and review.
On top of this, we have introduced monthly Health and Wellbeing budgets for all staff to help manage work-life balance, from puppy agility training to attending gigs, sleep and meditation apps and gym memberships.
Mental health problems affect one in four of us at some time in our lives. As well as being a major cause of distress for individuals and their families, having run a counselling service in my previous role, I am acutely aware of the impacts of mental health.
It’s important to all of the team that we not only take these issues seriously but enact tools and support to improve the mental wellbeing of each of us. World Mental Health Day helps focus attention on what can be done, not just on one day, but everyday.
