Now in its third year, the international awareness event World WellBeing Week returns in June 2021, providing the opportunity for organisations worldwide to highlight their own wellbeing strategies and activities. It supports the growing awareness for the wide-ranging aspects of wellbeing, including social, physical, emotional, financial, career, community and environmental wellbeing, and has never before been so important given these challenging times. Held annually during the last week in June, this year it will start on Monday, 21st June and will run through to the end of the month, 10 days in total for 2021, giving the added opportunity for weekend activities and activity in consecutive weeks, as desired.
Founder of the event, WellBeing World Director, Beverley Le Cuirot commented: “Flexibility and choice with wellbeing is key. The extended period to include events and activities of all types is a fitting tribute to the growing importance of wellbeing in society and workplaces today.”
The international awareness week was created in 2019 by WellBeing World in Jersey. It has evolved into a truly worldwide event with many thousands of messages, calls, posts, and tweets being received. In 2020, on Twitter alone it created 21.4 million impressions in countries far and wide, including Australia and New Zealand, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, UAE, Africa, UK, USA, Canada, in addition to the Channel Islands.
Previous participants have included the largest general merchandise retailer in New Zealand, and closer to home, the NHS, Wirral Community Health & Care, People First, North West Ambulance Service, Virgin Atlantic, SANE, Cambridge University, HR Zone, Visit Wales, IOSH, NICE, Forestry England, EMC Trust, BHT Library, Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP), UK Coaching, Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Health Trust Europe, Barts Health, Muslim Counsellor Network, Thornton Legal, the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, and many more internationally and locally.
The ‘Have a Heart’ national campaign was also inspired during World WellBeing Week and created by a mum in Yorkshire to promote the power of kindness, whilst raising funds for MIND. Many previous participants hosted their own events and online webinars to mark the week. Citizen Housing, a social housing provider which manages 30,000 homes across the West Midlands launched its own campaign saying that COVID would not hold it back. Classes were held virtually, and like many employers, they took the opportunity to recognise how important it is to look after employee wellbeing.
Learning by Questions highlighted the positive impact they have had on the mental health and wellbeing of both teachers and pupils during the pandemic. Brindleyplace Business in Birmingham held a series of webinars for businesses covering topics such as stress management, nutrition, and sleep hygiene with Professor Caroline Horton.
The National Fostering Group, which is made up of 14 independent fostering agencies across the UK, and who value the wellbeing of foster carers and the children in their care posted a guest blog on ways to enhance child wellbeing. And the Fathering Project sought to engage dads to a build stronger family partnerships for the benefit of children. Just a few examples of the wide-ranging aspects of wellbeing which have been celebrated during the week in previous years.
Mrs Le Cuirot added: “Awareness will always be important when it comes to wellbeing. There is always more to learn; always something we can be doing to maintain and improve our own wellbeing and that of our loved ones and colleagues. And always something to appreciate and celebrate.
“We just need to know where to begin. World WellBeing Week can help.
“We have already received enquiries from a number of businesses and an entire business park in the UK, so if you are already well on your way with your own wellbeing journey, businesses, charities, government departments, teams and individuals are invited to celebrate their achievements and to share them on social media using the hashtag #worldwellbeingweek.
“This could including Sporting events, Cycling, Walking, Employee Wellbeing activities, Recognition schemes, Lunch and Learn events, Virtual seminars, Workshops, Fundraising events, you name it, we want to hear about it. A summary of the stories will be featured on the WellBeing World website and WellBeing World Magazine Online.
“For those who are unsure or who would like some assistance, we are very happy to work with you. Wellbeing is a fundamental element to rebuilding our economy. A recent research report conducted by Westfield Health shows that corporate wellbeing could add as much as £61 billion to the British economy by 2025 through added productivity, if UK companies can create new and effective wellbeing strategies and improve underperforming ones.
“The report provides a powerful argument for investing time and effort in making wellbeing a strategic imperative to strengthen a company, organisation, team, or economy.
“A wellbeing strategy will also boost employee retention for organisations that do it right. Research undertaken by the Achievers Workforce Institute indicates that 52% of employees are starting to look for new roles following the pandemic (up from 35% in 2020). With a new sense of normality emerging, people are re-evaluating their current employment to determine if it is time to look elsewhere. Now, more than ever, we need to hold on to our people and focus on rebuilding our businesses. Wellbeing is at the heart of this,” concluded Mrs Le Cuirot.
More info at: https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-wellbeing-week-2021/
