How Team Valley technology company employees have championed wellbeing through community projects
by Owen Younger · ChronicleLiveThe employees of a Team Valley technology company are championing wellbeing through their community and charity work. Agilico has introduced social responsibility champions and a wellbeing hub, on top of its charitable endeavours.
Previously, the business raised £23,500 for the Alan Shearer Foundation through its employees participation in the Great North Run. The latest of its charity initiatives is 'Around the World in 80 Days', which sees employees across the nation set out to complete 18,000 miles in 80 days, with the funds going to a charity of their choosing.
Steve Gale is a social responsibility champion and founding member of the wellbeing hub, based in the Gateshead office. He has hosted events such as litter picks around Team Valley, and is actively encouraging other employees to participate in these community activities.
Steve said: "We were looking at ways to bring staff closer together and create more of a work family, and we came up with the idea of the wellbeing hub. Essentially, one person at each site would be a champion for this, supporting people's mental health by making an environment where they can come and talk.
"All the champions have been trained in mental health first aid, and I think that the fact that you know someone, but not very close, would in theory make you more likely to share things with them. On top of the litter pick that we've been doing, in which we've collected over 200kg of rubbish, we have started going on walks to improve both our physical and mental health.
Agilico employees are looking to continue this positive trend in employee wellbeing, with plans for community gardens at local schools in the works. The company are also looking into rolling out a podcast which will encourage mental health awareness, with the majority of this work coming from the Gateshead site.
Steve added: "People are important, as you can't run a business without people, so it is important that we do what we can to make a difference. Those at the top of Agilico have been very receptive to what we are trying to do.
"I think that every employer should be focused on improving the working environment for the people who work there, as I have seen just how much of a difference it makes to others, and to myself."
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