NEWS
Pandemic over – is employee wellbeing still a priority ?
Middlesbrough-based workplace wellbeing training and consultancy company , Key Wellbeing , is encouraging businesses to keep on top of their wellbeing strategies despite pandemic pressures easing .
Creative director Melissa Armstrong said : “ Taking care of your employees ’ wellbeing isn ’ t something that ’ s simply done and dusted now that the threat from Covid-19 is receding . It must remain a key priority in the workplace .
“ If business leaders fail to understand the importance of putting their people first at work , they ’ re likely to feel the continuous rage of the so-called ‘ great resignation ’, whereby thousands of staff are quitting their jobs to find roles that promote a better work-life balance with wellbeing support and flexible working policies .”
To make it easier for organisations to stay on top of their workplace wellbeing and retain talent , the Teesside firm is launching an exciting new initiative in partnership with Eatfruit .
From September , organisations will
Great minds – Key Wellbeing creative director Melissa Armstrong ( right ) and commercial director Marie Ranson are launching a series of quarterly Wellbeing Weeks for employers .
be able to treat their team to quarterly Wellbeing Weeks , including five themed sessions for employees to learn , move , chill , connect and give .
Workforces can expect to take part in remote and hybrid friendly sessions with a range of interactive activities .
They will also receive helpful guides , tips and resources to refer to , plus the option to add on fresh fruit deliveries to the office .
The aim is to help employers to create a consistent wellbeing buzz throughout the year , reminding their people of the importance of taking time out , having fun , connecting with one another and doing things that make them smile .
Key Wellbeing commercial director Marie Ranson added : “ As well as giving staff a much-needed wellbeing boost , the sessions are a great way to bring everyone together and create a sense of community – whether that ’ s in the office or remotely .
“ We ’ ve already received some great feedback from our pilot roll outs on how the sessions have helped workers to feel energised and equipped them with techniques to use on a daily basis .
“ We ’ re really looking forward to helping more businesses stay ahead , and – more importantly – making their employees feel good .”
To find out how your organisation can get involved , visit keywellbeing . co . uk .
Port power backing women ’ s campaign
One of Teesside ’ s largest employers has explained why it is throwing its weight behind the Power of Women ( POW ) campaign .
PD Ports , which employs around 1,500 people , says it ’ s proud to be a leading sponsor of the campaign , which helps to shift and lift the aspirations of girls across the Tees Valley .
POW has developed a primary ambassador programme , which has been rolled out across 10 primary schools within the region .
The campaign was created to inspire the young people of the region and not only build their confidence but their ambitions too .
And PD Ports was one of the very first businesses to help drive the initiative by sponsoring Pennyman Primary Academy in Middlesbrough .
The programme is funded through businesses sponsoring one of the 10 schools , creating a partnership between themselves and the school .
They then undertake a range of activities , including being interviewed by POW primary ambassadors and providing work experience for the children .
PD power - POW ’ s Rosey Stuart ( left ), Nieve Morrison ( right ) and Jane Armitage ( centre ) with PD ’ s Frans Calje and Kirsten Donkin .
Another activity the children take part in is designing a character to represent their school , which is turned into a cartoon and an animation .
The character is then designed in the sponsor company ’ s branding and has a sector-specific job role .
PD Ports played a huge part in getting this project off the ground , with generous sponsorship to fund the structure of the animations .
Kirsten Donkin , head of PR , marketing and communications for PD Ports , said : “ We are delighted to be sponsoring the Power of Women campaign .
“ As the largest private employer in the Tees Valley , we have a responsibility and role to play in supporting the next generation and , in particular , demystifying perceptions around gender stereotypes when it comes to careers .
“ Anything is possible if you work hard to achieve your ambitions and believe in yourself . Our commitment builds on the existing work we do in the Tees Valley to support young people and skills development , as well as raising aspirations .
“ We very much look forward to taking this commitment to the next level , working alongside the team at POW .”
If , like PD Ports , you would be interested in sponsoring a school or getting involved in the campaign , contact nieve @ powerofwomen . org . uk or visit powerofwomen . org . uk .
150 | Tees Business