NTTX’s team has built an enviable reputation for its 'cascade approach' to the improvement of health & safety. Now that we have extended our Public Health capability we are ourselves moving rapidly towards becoming a Wellbeing Workplace.
Staff wellbeing is increasingly a vital component in the modern workplace. At its simplest level this is about personal happiness – feeling good and living safely and healthily. Central to this is the understanding that work should complement and not undermine our basic purposes and needs in our lives (and those of our families). For an employer, this means recognising the needs and talents of our staff as people, not just employees.
The NTTX journey towards wellbeing promotion amongst our staff and associates started some time ago, with the development of our Health & Wellbeing policy. We are now building on this by endorsing the approach developed by the New Economics Foundation ([NEF] 2008) and its “five evidence-based ways to wellbeing”. This gives a framework to the NTTX approach to caring for, and supporting the growth of, our staff. NEF’s evidence shows that the key things we need to foster in the way we work are:
1. Connect. With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these connections as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
2. Be active. Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
3. Take notice. Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
4. Keep learning. Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you feel more confident as well as being fun.
5. Give. Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
We will be reporting on our progress through the website as we personally and corporately take on this challenge. We hope you join us on the journey – contact us now to discuss how we can help you implement a similar policy. We look forward to hearing how you are embracing, and benefitting from, the change.
