Event to help businesses access mental health and wellbeing support

City of York Council is inviting members of the city’s business community to a free mental health and wellbeing event on Tuesday 31 January, from 4 – 5 pm, to learn about the free support available to support their workforce or themselves as business owners.

The event will be held at the council’s West Offices and will be a hybrid session, meaning attendees will have the option to join virtually using an online link.

Statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that 822,000 workers in the UK suffered from stress, depression, and anxiety across 2020 and 2021, and the economic pressures of recent years are expected to have taken an additional toll on business owners and their staff. With over 95% of York’s businesses classified as micro or small-to-medium firms, where these pressures are likely to be more acutely felt, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the city’s business community is an important part of the council’s economic strategy.

Chaired by the Director of Public Health for York, the event will highlight ways in which businesses in the city can access free support and coaching.  Following short talks from Cllr Ashley Mason and Andy Knowles, founder of Assetiam Business Support Services and volunteer at Menfulness, on the importance of mental health and wellbeing, businesses will have the chance to hear from York Mind, the HSE, York St John Communities Centre and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) detailing the support they offer. Participants will then be invited to ask questions as part of a Q&A session with the speakers.

The event will also launch two projects facilitated by the council alongside local partners. Using funding provided by the council’s Inclusive Growth Fund, York St. John Communities Centre will deliver a free coaching programme to equip local businesses with the skills they need to promote and maintain positive mental health among owners and employees alike. Additionally, York Mind will be delivering training and establishing a resource hub for businesses to use. More details about the free offers will be announced at the event.

This event forms part of one of eight projects to support inclusive economic growth in the city. Delivering on the commitment to support mental health and wellbeing in the local business community, the council has previously worked with York St John University to produce the ‘Building Business Resilience’ research report in 2021, and regularly promotes free support services through its weekly business bulletin.

Councillor Ashley Mason, Executive member for Economy and Strategic Planning, said:

“Working in the business sector can be emotionally and mentally challenging, and the current economic climate undoubtedly presents additional pressures to many. Supporting mental health and wellbeing within the local business community is a key aspect of our ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive economy, and this event will highlight the importance of mental health to achieving that aim. We’re delighted to be joined for this event by representatives from the council’s Public Health team, as well as speakers from partner organisations York Mind, Menfulness, York St John University, the FSB and the HSE.

“I would encourage local business representatives to attend the event to hear about the support and resources that are available. We hope it will help business owners to feel more confident supporting their employees and their own mental health as they encounter the challenges of this new year.”

Simon Taylor, Head of Corporate Wellbeing Services at York Mind, said:

"The uncertainty brought by COVID-19 and the recent cost-of-living crisis has had a significant impact on both businesses and their workers, with employers now experiencing an increased demand from staff for support with their mental health. We therefore want to help ensure that local organisations are equipped with the skills and resources to support individuals at all points on the mental health spectrum.  

"There has never been a more important time for businesses to develop a mental health strategy to support staff and create mentally healthy workplaces, but it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. We are excited to be working with other local organisations to ensure that businesses in York feel supported when it comes to promoting mental wellbeing. We hope that the event will provide an opportunity for businesses to understand what services are available, and how they can use those services to promote a positive mental health culture." 

To book your free tickets for the event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-wellbeing-support-at-work-tickets-495168832307?utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_content=shortLinkNewEmail

For more information, email the council’s Economic Growth team on: economicgrowth@york.gov.uk