Colleague Wellbeing

Creating a culture where colleagues feel comfortable talking about mental health remains a key priority. We continue to invest in initiatives that reduce stigma, encourage open conversations and provide practical support. We have trained 74 Mental Health First Aiders across the business, with 24 colleagues also trained in Suicide First Aid. Peer-to-peer trauma support continues to be rolled out, with 41 colleagues and 11 managers trained as practitioners, alongside access to a dedicated psychologist and counsellor for colleagues experiencing personal or work-related mental health challenges.

In partnership with Andy’s Man Club, we delivered a targeted men’s mental health campaign, including a cold-water dip challenge, and facilitated mental health discussions. To ensure support was accessible to all colleagues, particularly frontline Repairs teams with limited access to digital communications, we distributed wellbeing resource packs and delivered Toolbox Talks focused on mental health awareness and support.

Throughout the year, colleagues have been able to access wellbeing workshops covering topics such as mental health, resilience, financial wellbeing and healthy lifestyles. During Stress Awareness Month, colleagues took part in activities including chair massages, sound baths, Tai Chi sessions, a Couch to 5K programme and a reflective stress-reduction challenge. Our annual Wellbeing Week further supported positive mental wellbeing through activities such as Reiki meditation, yoga, capoeira and mindful parenting workshops, encouraging colleagues to prioritise self-care and wellbeing.

Supporting colleagues’ physical health is essential to maintaining a healthy and productive workforce. Our focus is on prevention, early intervention and providing easy access to professional support. One of our most popular initiatives is our weekly onsite physiotherapy service, introduced to help colleagues manage musculoskeletal conditions and workplace-related physical health concerns. The clinics remain consistently fully booked, with colleagues reporting improvements in mobility, pain management and overall wellbeing.

We also actively promote preventative healthcare. A series of volunteer-led wellbeing podcasts featured personal stories from individuals affected by breast, cervical, bowel and prostate cancer. These conversations increased awareness of health screening programmes and encouraged colleagues to seek medical advice, resulting in several colleagues receiving diagnoses and treatment following the campaign. To support cardiovascular health, we marked Heart Month with health screening events across our regional offices, complemented by a mobile Health Kiosk to improve accessibility for remote and field-based colleagues. As a direct result of the heart screening, four colleagues went to their GP and received important adjustments to their medication.

Our WPA Healthcare Cash Plan also supports colleagues’ everyday health needs, covering dental, optical and therapeutic treatments, with options to include family members. It provides 24/7 access to counselling and GP services. During the year, colleagues accessed 766 dental treatments, 615 prescriptions, 440 optician appointments, 152 sight tests, 155 contact lens appointments, 291 physiotherapy sessions, 158 chiropractic treatments, 70 osteopath appointments, 56 acupuncture sessions and 19 chiropody treatments.

• Our Marketplace and Wellbeing Hub gives colleagues access to a wide range of benefits and discounts from hundreds of retailers, alongside wellbeing resources structured around Move, Munch, Money and Mind
• Van-based wellbeing kits have been provided for Repairs. Operatives, including signposting to support services
• Year-round workshops continue to support physical, mental and lifestyle wellbeing

We recognise that strong relationships, a sense of belonging and connection to a shared purpose are important contributors to colleague wellbeing. Our charity fundraising activities bring colleagues together while supporting causes that matter to them. Over the last two years, colleagues raised more than £30,000 for Mind through challenges, awareness campaigns and fundraising events, including the Manchester 10K, Tough Mudder, Dragon Boat Racing, static bike challenges and quiz nights. Following the successful completion of our partnership with Mind, colleagues are now supporting our new Charity of Choice, the British Heart Foundation.

We have also introduced Time Out in the Community (TOinC) Days, providing colleagues with dedicated volunteering opportunities to support local communities. These days allow colleagues to step away from their usual roles, connect with colleagues in a different setting and make a meaningful difference within the communities we serve. As well as supporting local causes, TOinC Days help build social connections, foster a sense of purpose and contribute positively to overall colleague wellbeing.

Recognition plays a vital role in colleague wellbeing and engagement, helping to create a culture where people feel valued, connected and motivated. Our recognition programme combines everyday appreciation with formal recognition opportunities. Through our peer-to-peer recognition platform, colleagues can celebrate and thank one another in real time, while managers can issue YouCount rewards to acknowledge exceptional contributions, achievements and behaviours that reflect our values.

Recognition is also championed by senior leaders through regular leadership communication, where members of our Executive Team recognise colleagues nominated by Heads of Service for making an outstanding difference to customers, communities or their teams. Our annual Local Legends Awards celebrate the often-unsung heroes of Great Places – the dependable colleagues who consistently go above and beyond, quietly supporting others and embodying our values every day.

Our latest staff survey showed colleague engagement at 95.3%, with 89.4% of colleagues saying they are satisfied with Great Places as an employer. By embedding recognition throughout the colleague experience, we ensure colleagues feel seen, appreciated and connected, supporting both engagement and overall wellbeing.

Financial wellbeing is a key component of overall colleague wellbeing. We recognise that financial pressures can have a significant impact on mental health, stress levels and overall quality of life. Through a combination of financial education, colleague benefits and practical support, we help colleagues maximise their income, manage everyday costs and plan ahead.

Our financial wellbeing support has delivered meaningful impact, helping colleagues navigate cost-of-living pressures and driving strong engagement with savings tools and everyday cost support. In the last year, total spending through discount platforms reached £368,000, generating £19,400 in savings. Engagement remains high, with 83% of colleagues actively using the offer, and 32% of total spend on groceries, highlighting the importance of support with everyday essentials.

We also introduced Stream, which gives colleagues access to salary payments early and helps reduce reliance on payday lenders. Since launch, 130 colleagues have used the service, with £37,000 advanced monthly. Stream also enables saving, with 288 colleagues opening savings accounts and collectively depositing an average of  18,000 per month.

Our approach is centred on making financial wellbeing accessible to all colleagues, regardless of their circumstances, ensuring everyone has access to the support they need to improve their financial health and security. By promoting financial resilience and reducing financial stress, we enable colleagues to focus on their wellbeing, perform at their best and feel supported both inside and outside of work.