Prioritizing Wellbeing as a Key Management Focus
Meeting Point House, a Telford-based charity, is taking significant steps to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of its staff. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Wayne Jenson, the charity has partnered with Colleen Mullarkey from Nourish Holistic Wellbeing to provide tailored support and workshops aimed at enhancing employee wellbeing. Jenson emphasizes the importance of valuing staff wellbeing just as highly as any health and safety legislation, advocating for a comprehensive approach to mental health in the workplace.
Legal Requirements for Employer Responsibility
Jenson highlighted that many employers may not be aware of their legal obligation to conduct stress risk assessments as part of their duty of care towards employee health and safety. He stated, “I believe that the mental health of your staff should be just as important, if not more so, than any of your workplace health and safety policies.” This perspective is crucial in fostering an environment where mental health is treated as a priority alongside physical safety.
Positive Impact of Workshops
Jenson recently participated in Mullarkey’s workshop titled “Workplace Mental Health and Holistic Wellbeing for Leaders and Senior Leaders.” The insights gained from this session prompted the charity to arrange a workshop, “Workplace Wellbeing Toolkit,” for their team at Meeting Point House. “The session really brought the team together and made us all think about how we can help ourselves and each other to be healthier and happier at work,” he noted.
He strongly encourages other employers to consider the wellbeing of their staff, citing that a happy workplace contributes to increased productivity and creates a more pleasant work environment.
Holistic Approach to Wellbeing
Colleen Mullarkey’s session focused on five fundamental holistic essentials aimed at optimizing wellbeing and reducing stress. These include:
Emotional Health and Self-Regulation
Mental Health, Mindset, and Habit Formation
Healthy Nutrition
Physical Activity
Collective Wellbeing and Mutual Support
Mullarkey explained that the workshop addressed how these tools can be integrated into employees’ daily work routines, taking into account their varied roles and work environments. Each participant created a personalized wellbeing plan during the session, tailored to support their health and wellbeing at work.
Ongoing Engagement and Impact
Mullarkey shared that she has received positive feedback from the team since the workshop, with employees reporting how they have implemented the tools discussed. “It’s great to be able to help and see how much they value the tools,” she remarked.
Following the workshop, Jenson noted that the wellbeing plans developed by staff are now being integrated into the staff appraisal process, ensuring that these plans are regularly considered and updated.
Empowerment and Insight
Jenson emphasized the transformative impact of this initiative on staff morale and empowerment. He stated, “We have really valued Colleen’s input, and our staff feel more empowered to look after themselves better—they are healthier and happier, which ultimately benefits the whole team and the customers they come into contact with.”
Moreover, he expressed that the process has provided him with deeper insights into the individual team members, contributing to their development and helping them become the best versions of themselves.
Conclusion
The commitment of Meeting Point House to invest in the mental health and wellbeing of its staff serves as an exemplary model for other organizations. By prioritizing holistic wellbeing and implementing supportive measures, the charity not only enhances employee satisfaction and productivity but also fosters a positive work culture. As the conversation around mental health in the workplace continues to grow, initiatives like these underscore the importance of integrating mental health support into organizational practices.
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