Putting the ‘i’ and ‘we’ in wellbeing

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” Albert Camus

Winter is a season of reflection, a time to pause and take stock – and that’s exactly what we did at December’s William Grant Foundation Forum on ‘building wellbeing’. Against the backdrop of a frosty morning, and a year filled with achievements and challenges, our funded partners came together to explore practical ways to build the wellbeing of staff, volunteers and participants.

The session was a celebration of honest and nourishing peer learning. With insights from Jen White from Forgan Arts Centre and Chris Saunders from Adventure Carrick, the forum reinforced a simple truth: investing in wellbeing is a necessity, not a luxury. As an open and trusting grant-maker, we also know that investing in wellbeing is a shared responsibility. Self-care is very important, but this is also about creating environments, systems and flexible practices that support sustainable and fulfilling work – and this needs to be supported by funders.   

Here are just some of the insights shared by funded partners:  

• Culture is key.  Workplace wellbeing starts with the culture we create in our organisations. As one participant noted, “The wrong culture can cause toxicity, but the right one helps people flourish.” People talked about the value of flexible working arrangements and being able to offer small gestures like birthday leave, to honest, fear-free conversations with managers. Every aspect of organisational life can shape how people feel at work.
• Remove the guilt associated with exercising self-care – especially time off.  Jen reminded us that, whilst it’s great to have new and flexible HR policies, it takes time to support people to engage with them. People often feel guilty for taking time off in a team that is already stretched or in a sector that is under a lot of pressure. We need to remove that guilt and remind people of the long-term good that comes from claiming the benefits they are entitled to. 
• Tap into the transformative power of blue and green spaces. Chris’s reminder of the benefits of connecting with nature resonated with many partners. Protecting time to step away from screens, breathe in fresh air and prioritise wellbeing was a popular recommendation.  

• Support those who support others. For many in the Third Sector, supporting others is at the heart of their work. But as rewarding as it is, it often involves engaging with trauma, poverty, child protection, and other difficult issues, which can take a toll. External sources of support, such as a professional who can provide ‘support and supervision’, can be a vital outlet for staff to process their experiences.
• Make time to engage with free resources. There are a range of free services and resources provided by organisations that support the Third Sector, from your local Third Sector Interface to the Community Learning Exchange. It can be hard to find the time to engage, but partners feel that the return on ‘investment’ will be worth it.

We’re inspired by the many tips, resources and ideas shared during the forum – we’ve included a selection below. (Download a pdf containing links here.)

Even in the coldest seasons, there is strength and vitality in the sector when organisations are supported to invest in building wellbeing and peer learning. Thank you to everyone who participated—you’ve given us all plenty to think about as we step into the new year.     

Photo above: Outfit Moray