Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has announced it has received funding to help it launch a pioneering workplace wellbeing initiative. Secured through Wiltshire Council, the Trust will receive £36,035 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to roll out its innovative ‘Wild Workplaces’ programme.
The new ‘Wild Workplaces’ programme aims to provide crucial support to individuals grappling with poor mental health in the workplace. Unlike traditional approaches, ‘Wild Workplaces’ adopts a nature-based methodology, leveraging the therapeutic benefits of the great outdoors to enhance employee wellbeing.
The programme will kick off in July with a series of wellbeing taster days across the county, with the first couple of sessions offered in Chippenham and Trowbridge. These taster days will be open to employers and employees and will highlight the opportunities available to provide mental health support whilst giving an overview of key mental health and wellbeing concerns within the workplace. Outdoor activities will be incorporated to showcase the extraordinary benefits of nature to help improve wellbeing in the workplace
Following the taster days, the Trust will conduct Mental Health First Aid training, empowering designated employees to recognise and address signs of mental health issues among colleagues.
This will be followed by free, bespoke six-week packages of wellbeing support tailored for selected organisations, with the long-term aim of sustaining employment for staff at risk of not being able to work due to poor mental health. These packages will aim to enhance preventative and early intervention activities specific to the needs of employees at each company.
Imogen Jackson, Wellbeing Programmes Leader at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, expressed gratitude to Wiltshire Council for their support saying, “we are hugely grateful to Wiltshire Council for the funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which has given us the opportunity to extend our programme of wellbeing support into workplaces.
“By integrating nature-based practices with tailored wellbeing support, we aim to empower workplaces to prioritise mental health, and to promote resilient and healthier workforces.”
Employers and employees in Wiltshire are encouraged to register interest in the upcoming Wild Workplaces taster days to learn more and participate in this transformative initiative. Register your interest at https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/wild-workplaces
