Staff from across all the RfM offices and group companies recently got together for a ‘summer social’ which saw them enjoying afternoon tea, a trivia quiz, and catching up with colleagues – all whilst pootling along the Lancaster canal on a barge. The event was also an ideal opportunity for the new RfM ‘Wellbeing Team’ to introduce themselves, and talk about what they will be doing to support and promote staff wellbeing across the group.
Putting staff wellbeing first
Following all the upheaval of Covid, the isolation of working from home, and the new normal of hybrid working, staff wellbeing is front of mind for many business owners. It’s certainly the case for the senior team at RfM.
Whilst staff are spread across several offices and business units, there is one common aim: to promote and support the mental and physical wellbeing of everyone who works for RfM. Key to achieving that aim was to set up a dedicated Wellbeing Team with a clear remit. The team comprises representatives from across the group: Mandi Davidson, Kathryn Gardner, Danni Campbell, Joel Procter and Christine Blamire.
We spoke to Joel, who is based at RfM Fylde, to learn more about what the team will be doing to support staff.
“Wellbeing is very much on everyone’s radar at the moment and the idea of the Wellbeing Team came initially from (RfM Partner) Gillian Telford,” explains Joel. “After the stress of Covid over the last two years, Gillian and the partners understood the need to ensure staff are doing ok, and provide support if needed. They asked for volunteers who would like to be involved and we are now a team of five from across the various offices.”
Listening and signposting
One of the first things the Wellbeing Team did was to seek appropriate training so that they could support staff in the right ways.
“We attended training provided by St John’s Ambulance and have all qualified as Mental Health First Responders,” says Joel. “What we learned, first and foremost, is the importance of listening.
“Our colleagues know that we are here to listen if they feel they’re struggling or having any issues with their mental health. We are also trained to be able to signpost them to the right places for the support they need.
“We’ve also got some very useful resources that we’ll be displaying in the offices and sharing with colleagues, that will help them to assess how they are feeling and whether they need to seek support.”
As well as being there to listen, the RfM Wellbeing Team will also be responsible for organising initiatives that are good for staff wellbeing.
“We will be getting together as a team on a regular basis to develop ideas and make things happen. We’ve already got a few things in the pipeline for the coming months such as a staff mental health day playing rounders and a MacMillan Coffee Morning.”
Promoting good staff wellbeing
Here are just some of the actions RfM is undertaking to promote and support staff wellbeing:
- Putting in place trained Mental Health First Responders to listen and signpost
- Noticeboards and materials to help staff self-assess and promote awareness of the support available
- Staff wellbeing-themed events.
The Wellbeing Team have been supported by Diane Johnson from RfM Transform HR to ensure they approach the matter of staff wellbeing appropriately and sensitively. If you would like to know more, please contact Diane Johnson or call 01772 431233.