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Thrive at work West of England

A support programme from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) in partnership with local authorities offering help to respond to mental health concerns in the workplace. The package of support is available through WECA’s West of England Growth Hub Website.

What is available through the programme?

Free e-Learning for managers – the course is designed for small and medium size businesses (max head count of 250) to equip their managers with the confidence and skills to have supportive conversations with their staff about mental health and wellbeing. Developed in partnership with Mind, the leading mental health charity, the course is free to access
Mental Health at Work Commitment – this is a simple framework that builds on what we know: based on the Thriving at Work standards, pulling from the pledges and standards that are already out there and up to date research. It is a set of actions that any organisation can follow to improve and support the mental health of their people
Wellness Action Plans – these are an easy, practical way of helping your employees to support their own mental health at work
Suicide Awareness Training – this 20 minute training gives you a better understanding of the signs to look out for and skills required to approach someone you think is struggling
‘How to’ Guides – for the workplace mental health and wellbeing shared by local employers, including a framework for a health and wellbeing policy and examples of interventions that employers in our region have found to be helpful in supporting mental health in the workplace
Talk Club – this is a talking and listening community for men. It is a support network to keep mentally fit and healthy

Why should local employers be interested?

Mental Health is something we all have and is just as important as our physical health. 1 in 4 British workers are affected by conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress every year. Mental Health is the leading cause of absence in the UK costing an average of £1,003 per employee per year.

The estimated collective annual cost of mental ill health in South Gloucestershire:

reduced productivity £112 million
absence from work £56 million
staff turnover £17.69 million

We also know that the human cost to individuals, families and communities is incalculable.

Creating working cultures that are supportive of the mental health and emotional wellbeing of staff has positive outcomes for everyone.

References for the above statistics can be found in The Economic and Social cost of Mental Ill Health to South Gloucestershire document.

What else is available locally?

Promoting Positive Mental Health Training – this is a 90 minute course looking to improve skills and confidence around mental health. Contact mentalhealth@southglos.gov.uk to organise a closed course for your business or for dates when the course is running
Support for staff receiving in-work benefits with career development with Future Bright
Carers Support Centre offer information and support for staff who are also carers
Community Learning and Skills Service can help support workplace development and staff wellbeing
Promote physical activity in the workplace with the help of the Active in Life programme; offering one to one appointments, 8 activity sessions at reduced cost or couch to 5k courses
One You South Gloucestershire offers lots of information around mental health and wellbeing on their website and there is the opportunity to speak to a wellbeing practitioner

Useful links

Guidance for employers

Mental Health Support and Advice

Downloadable resources

Tools for identifying and reducing work related stress:

A tool for managing stress in a team:

Managing team stress

A risk assessment tool for assessing pressures at work:

Stress risk assessment

Further information

If you are unable to find what you need or just want to ask a specific question email us at mentalhealth@southglos.gov.uk and we will reply via email, phone call or we are happy to come and visit you to discuss.

Please note that, when you contact us, your company’s contact details will be shared with all organisations providing Thrive at Work West of England services unless you tell us otherwise.

Related advice

Community learning and skills service