Managers and Colleagues: Have you tried reaching out to your colleagues and sharing how you feel? Feeling lonely from time to time is quite common and they may also be feeling the same way. Your manager should also be willing to work with you to create a wellness plan to help you feel better at work.
There are various options for support either face to face or remotely and you can find all of these on the someone to talk to intranet page.
- Wellbeing Champions: We have in place a network of staff across the council who have undertaken training and an examination to qualify as a Royal Society of Public Health certified Health and wellbeing champion. They can help you address your physical and mental wellbeing needs by signposting and providing support and information.
- Listening Mates: Staff volunteers who provide support to colleagues who feel that something is wrong at work. The purpose of Listening Mates is to listen to colleagues, signposting where necessary to further sources of help and information. Colleagues can talk to Listening Mates about any issue which is affecting them at work, whether it is a work or a personal issue. Listening Mates can provide support with concerns about bullying and harassment and mental health.
- Employee Assistance Programme: Vita Health Group is our EAP provider and you have unlimited access to information, support and guidance (including coaching and counselling where appropriate) on a wide range of topics including work/career, relationship/family, money management and debt and health and wellbeing. Sometimes life can be challenging and demanding and your free and confidential EAP is designed to give you easy access to information, help and support to enable you to make informed decisions and tackle issues early before they become troublesome and complex.
- Staff networks and support groups: We recognise the power of staff networks to improve the wellbeing of our employees, and the culture of our organisation. We recognise that the people who work for us are our greatest asset and when they feel valued, included, safe and supported, this positivity reaches the people we are here for. Such groups provide members with the opportunity to support one another, connect, and discuss prevalent issues and enact change. You can find networks relating to many different topics including the following: BAME, Christianity, Disability, LGBT+, Carers, Widows/Widowers, and Women's Health.
- Supporting Staff Yammer Page: A positive space to engage with colleagues. Share your resources, information & tips to keep connected, safe & well during these unprecedented times. Hobby and interest groups are also on Yammer so if you’re hooked on crochet or potty about plants then take a look, you’re sure to find other colleagues with similar interests.