Making workplace health work

A healthier workplace in the voluntary sector Dawn Cummins Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire Dawn Cummins, Deputy Chief Executive

A healthy workplace is not just about an apple

It is about a healthy recipe of activities Diet Exercise Social interaction Work-life balance

How is the VCS different? The charity sector offers a feel-good factor to a huge number of employees, giving workers the chance to make a real difference by helping the people who need it most

VCS Organisations Small is beautiful A natural community of like-minded people Easier to engage across the whole workplace

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire Improving the quality of life for all of Northamptonshire’s communities by supporting voluntary and community action across the Northamptonshire. 20 Staff 9 full time staff 11 part time staff Flexible working patterns Work-life balance policy

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire 58 Volunteers and 7 Trustees Encourage their involvement Inspirational for staff

Our Approach Our approach to Health and Wellbeing at work is no different to many other organisations. More focused workforce Higher levels of engagement

Our Challenges We have the same challenges as many other organisations. Getting people away from their desks Too busy Facilities for lunch and tea breaks And the question of ‘if I leave my desk, who does my job?’

Our Solutions Leadership from the top A culture of well-being and supporting staff Giving staff time every week for them to use how they wish 5 days per year for volunteering

VIN supports a healthy workplace Staff have half an hour a week to do whatever they wish Staff input ideas and there is a working group which meets quarterly Group walks Walking board – step calculator Afternoon tea Fruit box Water cooler

Staff Away Days All staff input into how the organisation moves forward Opportunity to meet with colleagues away from a work environment Information sharing

Nene Valley Community Action (NVCA) How they contribute to a healthy workplace: Poster listing the 5 ways to wellbeing Urine Chart Monthly 2 hour well-being sessions – all staff Small budget No meetings allowed

Nene Valley Community Action (NVCA) HEALTHY PEE IS 1 – 3 4 – 8 YOU MUST HYDRATE

NVCA Activities Group walks Pitch and Put Games – Bettle Drive Making music Bottled water supplied to all staff Staff feedback – team building Health and Wellbeing policy No cakes on birthdays Don’t phone each other within the same office – get active and walk to desks and talk

What is a healthy workplace in the voluntary sector? It is about taking the stress and pressure out of work and creating a great work life balance

Thank you! Any questions?