We have urged businesses across the county to prioritise mental health and workplace wellbeing during our fifth annual Workplace Wellbeing Conference.
Held virtually on #TimetoTalk day, seven expert speakers shared insight, industry research and key mental health updates to educate, inspire and challenge business leaders, during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaker Ben Goode, CEO at LSI Architects, has more than embraced mental health and wellbeing by investing in continual training and one-to-one support, sharing how his company won Mind’s 2020/2021 Wellbeing Index Gold Award Company of the Year award.
Ben said: “Every employer depends on having healthy and productive employees – valued and supported staff are far more likely to perform better and achieve peak performance.
“Crucially, it is the Board of the Directors who have been the driving force behind LSI’s initiative to prioritise mental health and wellbeing and this is so important if you are to create a culture from top to bottom, in which people can understand that it’s OK to not be OK.”
Ben added: “As businesses, what we can do is help people to access more information around mental health and wellbeing to understand it, recognise triggers and provide strategies to keep people well and resilient. There is a massively compelling business case for wellbeing to be at the heart of everything you do.”
Speakers also included Dr Paula Holland from Lancaster University; Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at National Mind; Sarah Jane Cale of Positive Menopause; Mindfulness Coach, Deborah Kelly; Jo Smith of Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust; and former accountant, Mark Sterling, who shared his experience of Gambling Harm.
Delegate, Shell Lemm, Wellbeing and OD Manager at the University of Cumbria, said: “I was overwhelmed at the quality of information, speakers and conversation that I was able to take part in. The conference really helped me reinforce key points, which is invaluable for anyone wanting to a make a real difference when supporting others.
“I would highly recommend attending future conferences to anyone who wanted to understand issues relating to mental health, what this means personally and for those working around you.”
Lancashire Mind promote positive mental health and wellbeing throughout the year, offering support to businesses, schools and community groups across the county.
Tommy McIlravey, CEO of Lancashire Mind said: “As one speaker said at the conference – many people probably spend more time on their dental health than their mental health – a stark reminder that we still have some way to go in embedding positive workplace wellbeing into our everyday culture.
“If we can take any positives from the coronavirus pandemic, it should be acknowledging the need for connection and empathy, both at home and within the workplace, and focus on creating positive work cultures where colleagues of all levels of seniority feel able to speak openly about their mental health.”