Chance to work on your wellbeing

Living Well Sefton, in partnership with Sefton Public Health, is offering to boost the wellbeing of workers by awarding Sefton businesses a Workplace Wellbeing Grant of £500.

Karen Nolan, Living Well Sefton co-ordinator, explains: “Looking after the wellbeing of employees will make for a stronger organisation with a happier, healthier workforce. Improving workplace wellbeing can also contribute to reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and support staff to improve their lifestyles.”

A recent study into workplace wellbeing by the charity Mind highlighted poor mental health at work as being widespread, with half (48 per cent) of all people surveyed saying they had experienced a mental health problem, such as anxiety or stress, in their current job.

The grant money can go towards: staff costs, covering sessional work such as yoga; volunteer costs; equipment such as bike racks to encourage active travel to work; training courses with a wellbeing focus and events to support the wellbeing of staff.

It can also be used to refurbish facilities which contribute to the health and wellbeing of staff, for example decorating a break room or buying a table and chairs to encourage people to eat lunch away from their desks.

Already the grants have helped to transform how people work. The money has gone towards buying a bike shelter to complement the organisation’s cycling to work scheme. “The bike shelter will be a permanent feature that will benefit staff year on year. It will encourage cycling year round because our staff who cycle to work say they feel significantly better during the day and destressed in the evening as a result of cycling,” explained one of the grant recipients.

While another organisation has used the grant to buy resources such as adult bean bags, new paint and curtains, to create a relaxing staff room. This will provide a place where staff can re-energise, connect with one another and provide support and motivation.

The £500 grants are open to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sefton that have fewer than 250 employees (60% of which have to be Sefton residents) and priority will be given to those businesses which employ routine and manual workers.

Karen adds: “If you are not sure whether or not your idea qualifies please get in touch to ask.”