Working at 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.”

The launch of the grants coincides with a new joint project introduced by the Duke of Cambridge and mental health charity Mind to support workplaces in improving staff wellbeing.

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

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Feeling happy and healthy within the workplace is so important. As we continue to promote positive mental wellbeing across the borough as part of 30 Days of Sefton in Mind, I hope that employers across Sefton make the most of this grant to help turn their workplace into a happier place to be.”

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.

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.

For an application form or to find out more information, contact Living Well Sefton on 0300 323 0181 or email: workplacegrants@seftoncvs.org.uk