Later this week, council officers will update a scrutiny committee on the measures BCBC have taken to improve staff welfare (pdf).
The main development has been the appointment of a part-time Health & Wellbeing Officer. This has led to the creation of a cross-department health & wellbeing group made up of heads of department and trade union representatives.
The objectives of the group include promoting healthy lifestyles and working practices, using “healthy competition to encourage healthy options” and promoting positive thinking.
The Council’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – run by Care First – saw an increase in contacts towards the end of 2021, with 210 contacts between April-December, compared to 68 a year earlier.
A new mental health app was launched in the summer of 2021. The app offers well-being tips, interactive tools and mental health exercises.
The new arrangements appear to have been well-received by council staff. There are reports of increased awareness of available mental health services, while between 60-65% of staff agreed that the new lifestyle and counselling services were either good or very good.
