As a charity that supports the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities across Devon, we are supporting the mental and physical health of our employees by holding our first Colleague Wellbeing Day as part of a wider ‘Better Place to Work’ initiative.

The special wellbeing day, scheduled to be held once a year for the staff of Westbank Community Health and Care, took place on Blue Monday (20 January), considered by many to be one of the most challenging days of the year.

The packed programme provided a wide choice of activities including workshops to teach people resilience and stress management skills, promote healthy eating and encourage team members to try out new ways to exercise to stay fit and healthy. The whole day was themed around the Five Principles of Wellbeing: Connect, Get Active, Give, Take Notice and Keep Learning.

Westbank’s CEO Sarah Hicks said, “ Looking after ourselves and each other is incredibly important and, as Devon’s foremost health and wellbeing charity, it’s incredibly important to us. Our new Colleague Wellbeing Days will give our staff some valuable time out from their normal working day to embrace a comprehensive programme of new activities including hobbies, exercise classes, health walks, cookery classes and workshops focusing on mindfulness, developing better sleep habits, breathwork and coping with stress.

“It’s all part of our drive to make Westbank a ‘Great Place to Work’, an initiative that offers a broad package of benefits to support staff and help them thrive.”

Participants were provided with a healthy communal lunch and a small wellbeing gift to take home with them.

Michelle, who works in admin for Westbank’s Volunteering Team, said: “It’s been a great day. I’ve tried different things and connected with lots of people, some I knew and some I didn’t. I attended the Resilience Workshop and had a Health Check. I’m also doing a group walk and I’ve just signed up for two new activities, Women’s Rugby and Shooting, both of which were completely unexpected! I’ve also tried some arts and crafts that I’ve never done before, including Quilling. It’s great and has certainly given us all a boost on what's widely considered to be one of the most depressing days of the year.”

Emma, who coordinates Time for You, one of the charity’s volunteer projects, said, “I got a lot from the Resilience Workshop - some different ways of thinking about tackling issues - deciding which problems you can’t do anything about and it’s not helpful to worry about in the present moment and which are practical issues you can take action to improve. That will be really helpful to bear in mind when I’m stressing over something. I’ve also done yoga for the first time in ages and it’s re-energised me. I intend to make that a regular activity now. The whole day has been great for team building and makes you feel part of something bigger.”

David, Westbank’s Carer Participation Coordinator, said, “I’ve had a very good morning. I got on with some work first thing then went to the Cookery School with some of my colleagues to make some healthy lunches - Spicy Carrot Soup, Quinoa and Hummus Salad and a microwavable Chocolate and Fruit Muffin in a cup. This afternoon, I’m doing breathwork, then a walk around Exminster and ending the day by making Miso soup, another first for me. It’s brilliant because I’ve only been with the charity for six months, having moved from the education sector where I was a Headteacher, and the level of support I’m now getting is just fantastic!”

The Colleague Wellbeing Day made full use of new and improved onsite facilities at Westbank’s Healthy Living Centre in Exminster including the Community Cookery School; Gymclusive, Westbank’s inclusive and accessible gym; the events studio; activity room and the charity’s recently rebranded space, the Community Hub at Westbank.