We care deeply about the wellbeing of all our colleagues. We provide a supportive and empowering environment where everyone can make positive choices every day about their health and wellbeing. Our wellbeing strategy focuses on areas that are important to all of us, and looks at the ways we might be able to enhance them. This includes our recent focus on the menopause and becoming a Menopause Friendly Accredited organisation, joining the Time to Test Charter for cervical screening awareness, as well as focusing on financial wellbeing and the cost of living crisis.

Wellbeing support and benefits

Our exclusive benefits platform includes a Wellbeing Hub that provides free, unlimited, and anytime access to a range of wellbeing benefits. With areas ranging from supporting exercise and physical health, mindfulness and emotional support, and financial wellbeing tools, to an extensive recipe bank of everyday nutrition tips, the varied resources – along with exclusive discounts and specialist third party providers – enable access to a host of wellbeing lifestyle activities. The benefits platform has information on all colleague health benefits and wellbeing support contact details, including our Employee Assistance Programme.

Our Employee Assistance Programme aims to provide access to free wellbeing support whenever it is needed. This is intended to help colleagues, and those they care for, deal with personal problems that might adversely impact life, health, and wellbeing.

The service allows employees to talk through any concerns in confidence and access a wide range of support resources and interactive tools. The support includes:

• Confidential 24/7 telephone support with qualified counsellors
• Access to financial, legal, and health support
• Webinars, videos, and health and wellbeing support resources

Wellbeing support and networks

Emotional support is also provided by our Mental Health First Aider network, which is a point of contact for any colleague experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. Our Mental Health First Aider network is made up of volunteer colleagues who have been trained by specialist providers. We also have a number of menopause advocates, who are available for colleagues to contact if they are struggling with the menopause and want to speak to someone in confidence.

Our established colleague-led Wellbeing Committee coordinates health and wellbeing campaigns on a regular basis to promote a good work/life balance, working diligently to promote the wellbeing of all of our colleagues. Interactive awareness campaigns showcase advice and awareness, spotlighting physical health, mental, and emotional issues, and financial wellbeing. 

Wellbeing development

We are keen to help colleagues learn more about wellbeing. We provide a variety of resources in our learning academy and regularly host specialist webinars on a selection of wellbeing topics that are open for all colleagues to attend. We also have bespoke training for our line managers on various wellbeing issues.