SOUTHAMPTON employers and employees are invited to a free Wellbeing at Work event on November 1 to help demonstrate the importance of maintaining good mental health in the workplace (2022).
The event at West Quay Shopping Centre is hosted by the charity Southampton Mental Health Network (SMHN) and will promote positive workplace mental wellbeing, while also highlighting the benefits to all.
SMHN Trustee Barry Hampton, who is also Business Development Manager at SPECTRUM Centre for Independent Living CIC, is helping organise the event and will be speaking at it, says: “Our event is appropriate for both businesses and their teams, it emphasises the importance of good mental health in the workplace, and shows how this can benefit businesses.
“We want to show employers that developing positive workplace mental wellbeing policies need not be expensive and can help increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and retain good people. It’s open to all, whether you’re a business owner, someone who manages a team or anyone in work.
“Good mental health goes hand-in-hand with good physical health. We all expect to have some physical health conditions in our lifetime, but one in four of us are likely to experience mental health issues too.
“We want employers to be proactive when it comes to prevention and protecting their workers, and to feel prepared should someone in their workforce experience mental ill health. Our Wellbeing at Work day is designed to encourage and value everyone’s mental well-being.”
The event includes expert speakers, stalls and refreshments.
Abi Mason, SMHN’s Administrator, explains: “We all need to look after our mental health, as we do our physical health, and we all can be affected in different ways, as well as personal circumstances outside of work.
“It’s important to maintain good mental health and wellbeing at work to cope under pressure, foster good working relationships, improve job satisfaction and our ability to carry out daily tasks.
“Our event is aimed at employers and business owners but is open to everyone, whether you manage a team or are part of one. It’s important to know how to look after your own mental health and wellbeing, and how you can support others around you too, and this benefits, on many levels, the business and everyone involved.”
The event will begin with a welcome from Annie Clewlow from Communicare, which has been the lead organisation in the charity’s development.
Speakers include Stephen Manion, Executive Director of Go Southampton, who will be addressing attendees for 10-15 minutes from 1pm, as well as Heather Langley from Target Health Group and Dan Desmond from Fit 4 Life Hampshire.
Heather will also offer people a fully clothed mini-massage and posture assessment. Plus, SingForce facilitator Gavin Munn will be at West Quay from 1-3pm. SingForce’s programmes are all about creating social cohesion and confidence through singing. Gavin will be leading passers-by in group singing warm-ups while he is onsite.
Stallholders include Barclay’s Bank, SO:Linked, Southern Health NHS, Steps to Wellbeing, Parent Support Link, Board in the City, Re-start, which is part of Fedcap/Palladium, St Deny’s Activity Group, Brightside Personal Training and SMILE, the lived experience arm of SMHN.
SMHN became publicly active in 2019 and, with more than 100 member organisations involved in its development, became a charity in September this year.
Working together, these organisations want to make Southampton a mental health friendly city, ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion for all.
The network is supported by Southampton City Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group through the Integrated Commissioning Unit (ICU).
SMHN aims to create welcoming spaces for discussion, be understanding and supportive of those living with mental ill-health, boost wellbeing and resilience and improve attitudes, awareness and education in the city.
SMHN’s free Wellbeing at Work event is on the Ground Floor of West Quay Shopping Centre on Tuesday, November 1, 10am-3pm and everyone is welcome to attend.
Abi adds: “It’s free to attend. No need to book. Just turn up! Drop in and don’t worry if you can’t stay all day – we’ll have a programme running from 10am-3pm and will have further details on our website.”
To join or find out more about SMHN or the Wellbeing at Work event, please visit www.smhn.org.uk.
