Staff at Oasis Travel have put in place a Health and Wellbeing Action Plan to prioritise the health of their staff.
Oasis Travel, an expert travel agency with offices in Lisburn, Bangor, Holywood, Belfast and Warrenpoint, has recently trained a number of qualified ‘Health Champions’ to roll out the strategy through the free programme ‘Work Well Live Well’ which is available to workplaces across Northern Ireland in all industries.
The programme which is delivered by leading local charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) aims to help workplaces improve their employees' health and wellbeing through personalised support. NICHS support organisations with carrying out a health and wellbeing survey, developing a bespoke 3-year action plan and strategy for their team as well as providing access to training, webinars, resources and networking opportunities, all completely free of charge.
Sandra Corkin, Managing Director at Oasis Travel, says, “We knew that we wanted to have a proper well-being structure in place but we didn’t have a strategy. It was great to partner with Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke who had a planned programme, Work Well Live Well, that we could join.
“Following a staff survey organised by NICHS, we were able to identify needs within the company. Some of the initiatives we have organised so far have included having counsellors come in to advise on topics such as sleep and bereavement. Each office has their own well-being ambassador now and we have participated in well-being days and health checks arranged by NICHS.
“One of the biggest benefits we have found is that staff feel more comfortable talking about their mental health and they feel cared for and listened to.
“One of our highlights of the programme so far is when staff member Kelly, who has really championed the scheme recently, won the “unsung hero” award in the TTG UK Top Travel Agents Award for her participation and commitment to all our staffs’ well-being. Kelly’s journey started with the NICHS Work Well Live Well programme and we’re very proud and happy for her.
“We also have fundraised for several charities through participating in activities and gaining sponsorship.
“Our aim is to be a company that demonstrates that it cares for its employees with staff that engage with the programme.
To other businesses considering signing up, Sandra says, “We would highly recommend Work Well Live Well. It is a fantastic team building exercise that builds employee loyalty.”
Emma McCrudden, Work Well Live Well Programme Manager at Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke says; “As a local charity, our mission is to prevent chest, heart and stroke conditions and support people affected and our vision is a healthy Northern Ireland free from chest, heart and stroke illnesses. We recognise that the workplace is a priority setting for influencing the physical and mental wellbeing of employees and the PHA funded Work Well Live Well programme which we deliver, helps to promote good health in workplaces across Northern Ireland to prevent serious illness in the long term.”
“Oasis Travel is a great example of a workplace which wanted to make a positive change and put staff health first. The initiatives put in place by Oasis Travel staff have been a great success and have made a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the team.”
“We are now recruiting new workplaces to take part in the programme and would encourage organisations of all types and sizes to get in touch to find out how Work Well Live Well can help them.”
For more information and to register for Work Well Live Well, visit nichs.org.uk/workwelllivewell
