Workplace Wellbeing

Representatives from Solent Mind were Robin Chave’s guests for his October CEO Breakfast event. Held regularly, these informal gatherings give all business leaders based at the Science Park a peer-group opportunity to network, explore synergies and hear expert insights.

Solent Mind is the mental health charity for Southern Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Part of the National Mind Federation, the organisation supports around 50,000 people a year in a variety of settings. In the workplace, the team helps businesses develop skills to support organisational wellbeing and resilience.

The charity’s CEO Sally Arscott spoke passionately about the need for today’s business leaders to recognise wellbeing at work as an increasing priority. Social isolation, particularly in hybrid settings, financial stress and juggling caregiving responsibilities are ongoing and significant contributors to mental health concerns, which affect one in four people at any one time.

Sally highlighted research by Deloitte which revealed that poor mental health costs employers £51bn each year due to absenteeism and reduced productivity, innovation and engagement among staff. Furthermore, it is increasingly clear that businesses’ approaches to wellbeing are a key differentiator and competitive advantage, especially for those looking to attract and retain younger staff.

She went onto suggest what a wellbeing-focused culture looks like in practice; leadership modelling healthy behaviours being a principal factor here, along with embedded support structures throughout the organisation.

Robin thanked the Solent Mind team for attending this session, which resulted in great engagement and meaningful conversations across the board. He also encouraged leaders to draw their teams’ attention to the wide range of wellbeing-focused opportunities across the Park, from its conservation area for nature walks to fitness classes and SOsocial events.