Helping colleagues maintain their mental wellbeing

Physical wellbeing

We partner with Total Active Hub, a global platform enabling workforces to be more active.

Through this resource, colleagues have teamed up to take on different challenges aimed at getting them more active while also raising money for charity.

We are currently taking part in ‘Move for 30’, where a tree is planted every time a colleague is active for 30 minutes, each day. People form teams and compete to see who can complete the most active days. We have seen a tremendous uptake; on the first day alone, 275 trees were pledged.

Through our partners, we are also offering colleagues a keep fit taster session where they will be put through their paces by trained professionals.

We also regularly deliver fresh fruit to our offices and staff are given a range of non-dairy alternatives to milk, as per their individual requirements.

Financial wellbeing

Financial wellbeing has become increasingly important to our colleagues, and we understand the impact financial uncertainty can have on wellbeing.

We recently changed our pension provider to Hargreaves Lansdown, who we feel offer a more suitable pension and better education proposition for colleagues.

As part of this improved service, colleagues are offered regular 1-2-1 sessions to help them understand and make the most of their pension options. We are also offering regular educational seminars on broader financial topics covering a range of topics like fraud, saving, and finance for children.

Mental wellbeing

Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – provided by Health Assured - is a confidential service available 24/7 that helps colleagues deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting their home life, work life, or health and general wellbeing.

Via elective private medical insurance, colleagues also get access to confidential talking therapies without the need of a GP referral and smaller wait times. This also covers more severe mental health conditions which might require in-house treatment.

Colleagues also have access to Babylon – a virtual GP service allowing access to private GP consultations over a smartphone or tablet.

We have also delivered mental health awareness training providing education about the factors that impact our mental health, how to spot the signs and symptoms of a team member who is struggling, as well as a framework and boundaries for a supportive conversation and where to signpost for professional support.

We are also rolling out training to improve knowledge and awareness around the menopause and we have also shared a set of guidelines to encourage open conversations and provide the right support to those who need it.

Social wellbeing

Earlier this year, we ran a wellbeing week offering colleagues a range of different activities, learning, and experiences helping them take control of their mental, financial, social, and physical health.

Colleagues are also encouraged to sign up to ‘Cuppa Roulette’ where they are paired at random with another colleague for a networking session with someone they might not already know.

Finally, we recently launched Connect, a forum bringing together colleagues from across the bank, encouraging conversations that foster an environment where everyone can thrive.