Wellbeing and stress management training

20 Apr 2023

Stress management and wellbeing training for leaders and managers

April is Stress Awareness Month and as part of our commitment to developing our approach to workplace wellbeing, we are launching two new pilot courses for managers and leaders. 

We’ll be delivering both courses twice during the pilot stage, with each course having a face-to-face or virtual option. The courses will launch in May to coincide with wider wellbeing activities taking place during the month. 

We anticipate a high interest for these courses, so please only sign up if you are able to commit to attending the sessions, as we have had a high number of non-attendees for some previous sessions.

Stress management for leaders and managers

This two-hour workshop starts with a focus on the fundamentals of stress at work, looking at the factors that managers need to consider for themselves and their teams. Using principles of human-centred design, the workshop provides practical tools managers can use with their teams, either on an individual basis or with a group. Managers will leave the session with a better understanding of why stress matters for them and their team, and a toolkit of resources to use.

The workshop will be delivered by Matt Smeed. Matt is an expert in the areas of wellbeing, engagement and resilience in the workplace. Matt has extensive experience of coaching individuals, running innovative and interactive team sessions and consulting at a strategic level. Matt is particularly passionate about and experienced in psychological health and safety.

• 11 May 10-12 am – delivered virtually - WELL161 Stress management for leaders and managers (online)
• 20 June, 1-3pm – delivered in person - WELL163 Stress management for leaders and managers (in person)

Wellbeing Conversations – a workshop for leaders and managers

“Leaders and managers are important role models in fostering healthy behaviour at work” (CIPD, 2022). The ability to have conversations with colleagues, either individually or as a team, helps to navigate change, promotes open dialogue, and normalises conversations about health and wellbeing. The charity MIND found that “60 per cent of employees say they’d feel more motivated and more likely to recommend their organisation as a good place to work if their employer took action to support mental wellbeing.”

This workshop is designed to give managers the confidence and skills to create a supportive team environment where wellbeing conversations are the norm, while recognising and understanding the boundaries of the role of a manager. It will be a practical and interactive workshop, focusing on skills development and with opportunities to look at different scenarios and how to approach them.

The session will be delivered by Helen Brewis, our Head of Colleague Wellbeing. Helen is a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, specialising in workplace wellbeing. She has over 20 years’ experience of supporting individuals, teams and organisations to thrive at work. She is a coach and trained in a range of techniques including motivational interviewing and the solution focused approach.

• 15 May 09.30-12.00 – delivered in person - WELL164 Wellbeing Conversations – a workshop for leaders and managers (in person)
• 14 June, 2.00-4.30pm – delivered virtually - WELL162 Wellbeing Conversations – a workshop for leaders and managers (online)

Wellbeing Week 2023

Next week, we’ll be sharing further details of activities taking place in May, which is Wellbeing month in our EDI calendar and during which Mental Health Awareness Week takes place (wc. 15 May).