Supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of our team

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we felt it was the right time to reflect on the work we do to support the wellbeing of the Ashtons team.

It’s good to talk about Mental Health

As part of our core commitment to the wellbeing of our team, over the last 12 months we have established a team of fully qualified Mental Health First Aiders. This team provides confidential advice and guidance to any staff member who may be in need and also run group ‘cuppa and chat’ sessions as we aim to normalise conversations around mental health.

Balance is important

Work-life balance is crucial for good mental and physical health, which is why we ensure that staff have their birthdays off, enjoy flexible working conditions, have recently increased annual leave entitlements across the business, and in the event of illness or loss, receive sick and compassionate leave pay. This autonomy over their time allows them to celebrate, recover, or remember loved ones, which is essential for maintaining good mental health.

For those starting families, we recognise that the early months can be particularly challenging. Knowing that they are supported by their team can provide great relief. We are always ready to assist and do so by providing thoughtful gifts that help ease new parents into their roles.

Providing the right assistance

We know our organisation cannot function without our dedicated staff, so we have incorporated an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that offers a plethora of resources for addressing both physical and mental health needs. This also provides access to professionals in fields such as nutrition, fitness, and counselling, as well as a medical helpline and legal support where needed, empowering our staff to take control of their wellbeing and live their lives to the fullest.

Building community in the workplace

To ensure every member of our team feels supported during their time at Ashtons, building a strong feeling of community within our organisation is extremely important. With a large remote team and three distinctly different communities within the business, bringing everyone together is sometimes a challenge, so through our Employee Engagement Team, we run regular events throughout the year, designed to bring as many people together as possible. This ranges from charity fundraising events, to themed seasonal events, such as our recent activities focused on Stress Awareness Month, as well as running a very popular book club.

The highlight of this calendar of events is our Annual Company Party. This event enables all of our remote and in-house teams to connect in person, bond over a lovely dinner, and build relationships that extend beyond the office. This fosters a network within the company where staff can find support for any issue, big or small – there will always be someone ready to assist.

Read more: Embracing Wellness: Reflecting on Stress Awareness Month – Ashtons

Read more: Mental Health Awareness Week 2024