Time to talk about wellbeing

Hayley says: “Time to Talk Day is an opportunity to encourage us all to talk about our wellbeing and to share the wellbeing support we have available to our colleagues. We’re committed to providing measures which we hope will help individuals to support their wellbeing as much as we can.

“Some of the situations colleagues might face working at Demelza can be challenging and emotional, so providing structures and initiatives to support everyone is key. Demelza is a unique and wonderful place, and it’s important that everyone, employees and volunteers, have access to the right support and signposting.

“Some of that support includes our wellbeing champions, who are trained in both grief and mental health first aid. We have around 10-12 wellbeing champions who are there to provide support to colleagues and signpost to what they might need. We have our internal wellbeing hub, which offers a wealth of information and resources, as well as our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which can provide access to counselling and therapy. We also recently introduced access to the Charity Retail Association, which has a dedicated wellbeing hub for volunteers.”

It’s not just about having space to talk things through when we’re struggling. We also provide proactive support through wellbeing events and social communities, encouraging colleagues to get together, chat and build peer support networks.

Hayley says: “We’ve set up communities on our internal social platform so that people can engage on different interests, like books or sport, and spark conversations. We also have wellbeing café events throughout the year, offering mindful activities like colouring or crafting – it can be much easier to open up and connect when you’re busy doing an activity. We hold also events to mark festivals or celebrations, giving colleagues the chance to come together.

“Next up, we hope to plan a quiz night as an opportunity to meet up and just have some fun – it can be really important to make connections at work. And colleagues have just started a new initiative where families and colleagues can play sports together – so far we’ve had a football match, with a netball match next, and we’re keen to grow this. It’s had amazing engagement so far – it really says something when people are willing to come out on a Friday night in winter! We have also been reaccredited with the Silver Kent & Medway Healthy Workplace award, which recognises our ongoing commitment to supporting colleagues' wellbeing. We're aiming for Gold next!”

Taking time to talk and encouraging open conversations about how we are really doing is crucial to maintaining our wellbeing. When starting conversations, Hayley always recommends being as honest as possible and finding the right person to talk to – you should speak to someone you feel comfortable with, whoever that may be. But it’s also important to recognise that not everyone finds it easy to talk.

Hayley says: “We have online platforms employees can utilise, including anonymous channels, to support a range of methods to share feedback and build people’s confidence to raise issues. It’s vital to be able to offer tools that support different communication styles.”

When it comes to daily wellbeing, Hayley says: “The easiest way you can support your wellbeing right now is to pause and have a conversation with yourself about what would have a positive impact on your wellbeing. Whether that’s a walk outside in nature, reading a book, having a bath or just making a plan for what you will do later, it’s about taking that that time for you.”