Our first Wellbeing Week!

During our first Wellbeing Week (8th – 12th October 2018) we focused each day on one of the 5 ways to wellbeing (give, be active, take notice, keep learning, connect). It was a great way to introduce these five simple strategies into the lives of our employees and see if they would feel the benefits.

Monday - Give

We started the week gently with a lunchtime craft club with colouring and a cuppa. Colouring books for adults are extremely therapeutic and can help generate wellness, quietness, mindfulness and the exact same benefits which meditation imparts on the brain. 

In the afternoon there was a slightly livelier ‘office improv’ session, designed to look at the fact that everyone has their own unique view on the world which makes everyone an interesting person, but fear stops us from expressing it out loud. The focus was on sharing unique perspectives through fun and silly games and learn that making mistakes can be one of the best things you'll ever do.

Tuesday – Be active

What better way to get active than to head to the gym for a lunchtime workout? Our group undertook a gruelling bodyweight exercise class which certainly got the blood pumping!

Wednesday – Take notice

This day was all about remembering the simple things that give you joy. Some of our lucky employees enjoyed 10-minute massages, with massage therapy helping to reduce stress, tension and promote overall wellbeing, it was a very pleasant part of their day!

Our wellbeing champions also distributed 'Happiness Postcards' around the office, provided to record 3 things which have made you happy that day. A simple but incredibly powerful action. It's about taking the time to notice the good things in our lives and get the more from these.

Thursday – Keep learning

What matters to you? This workshop was designed to increase our employee’s awareness of what matters to them at home and at work. With an opportunity to reflect on their current level of wellbeing and identify areas in which you would like to make changes, practical tools and strategies were shared to help them move towards improvement.

Taking a more ‘hands-on’ approach to learning, our Claims Team Leader, Hayden, shared invaluable knowledge on how to change the tyre on a push bike. With nearly 20% of employees cycling to work, it was an invaluable session for those at risk of a puncture. Thanks Hayden!

Friday - Connect

On the final day we took the opportunity to connect with our group of wellbeing champions (who are also qualified mental health first aid champions) and hear about the plans for our new eco-garden, along with a free buffet lunch for all!

Our first wellbeing week was an opportunity for our employees to not only engage in new activities, but to also have the opportunity to consider their own wellbeing and the ways of wellbeing which work best for them - give, be active, take notice, keep learning or connect.

Thank you to everyone involved and especially our wellbeing champions for organising a wonderful week of activities. The feedback has been really positive and we are also working with the Workplace Wellbeing Charter to ensure that we continue to look after our employee’s wellbeing in the most effective way. We are already looking forward to another Wellbeing week next year!