Beyond Housing

Beyond Housing has achieved a Better Health at Work Gold Award a year after attaining silver, following a sustained programme of campaigns aimed at supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of its colleagues.

Having been awarded the silver level award in 2022, Beyond Housing’s team of health advocates used feedback from the judging panel as inspiration for this year’s gold level submission.

The team completed step challenges, health checks, and led a wellbeing week which introduced seated and laughter yoga, better sleep sessions, meditation, healthy eating talks, and stress management workshops, together with a financial support guide for colleagues.

The Better Health at Work Award encourages employers in the North East to put their colleagues’ health at the core of their values, and demonstrate how they are developing year on year.

There are five levels to the award – bronze, silver, gold, continuing excellence and maintaining excellence, with appropriate criteria at each stage to build into an award portfolio.

As part of the programme, the health advocates ran menopause workshops and mental health drop-in sessions, while also introducing wellness calls with a mental health first aider. The group held talks with external speakers about mental health and arranged sponsored sports events to raise money for Zoë’s Place, a baby hospice in Middlesbrough.

The Better Health at Work assessors agreed that the group submitted an excellent portfolio of evidence and assessment discussion. They stated that there were many examples of good practice that could be shared with other employers, especially with work promoting and supporting mental wellbeing and a commitment to engaging with employees who have found it difficult to participate in heath events due to the demands of their work role.

Rachel Docherty, HR Partner and Lead Health Advocate and Mental Health First Aider at Beyond Housing, said: “We have a fantastic team of health advocates and mental health first aiders supporting our wellbeing plans each year, which we consult with our colleagues on. We are really proud to achieve the gold award and look forward to delivering even more health and wellbeing campaigns for our colleagues.

“It’s really rewarding to be involved in offering health and wellbeing activities and mental health support to our colleagues. The last few years have been challenging but being able to finally deliver face to face sessions and connect with colleagues has been fantastic.

“We hope Beyond Housing can progress to continuing excellence and eventually achieve ambassador status.”

Catherine Clennett, Director of People at Beyond Housing, added: “The achievement of this award is testament to Beyond Housing’s commitment to our people and their wellbeing. It is a priority for us because it is simply the right thing to do; supporting our colleagues to be physically and mentally well is the first step to enabling them all to become the very best version of themselves they can be. At work, at home, and in the local community.”

Beyond Housing achieved the bronze award in 2019, silver in 2022 and gold in 2023.

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF BEYOND HOUSING

CONTACT: Josh Mason on 01325 363436

Notes to editors:

Beyond Housing is one of the largest registered housing providers in the North East and North Yorkshire. With its regional offices in Redcar and Scarborough, the organisation is responsible for the letting, management and maintenance of over 15,000 homes across the North East and North Yorkshire.

Beyond Housing is committed to going beyond the bricks and mortar to help its communities and region thrive. By providing quality homes people want to live in alongside valuable additional services delivered by passionate people who want to help, Beyond Housing contributes to the prosperity, wider regeneration and sustainability of its communities, creating neighbourhoods that will flourish well into the future.

Beyond Housing is a Community Benefit Society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 and regulated by both the Homes and Communities Agency and the Financial Conduct Authority.

For more information visit beyondhousing.co.uk.

Find Beyond Housing on social media:

Facebook: BeyondHousingUK

Twitter: @beyondhousinguk