#internationalstressawarenessday #INSAD2017
Future Directions CIC together with the International Stress Management Association will be raising awareness regarding the importance of managing stress and being aware of stress in both our working and everyday lives. At Future Directions we have an open and honest relationship with our staff and volunteers which allows all individuals to speak freely to their line managers regarding stress. Working with people with mental health diagnoses and learning disabilities is extremely rewarding but it can also bring about stressful situations at the same time. We take work / life balance and the ability to find ways to allow stress free times throughout the day for all individuals, to be an extremely important part of our work.
One of our Senior Managers is a yoga teacher in her spare time. She offers weekly yoga sessions to both our employees and also the people we support. For people living with learning disabilities and mental health issues, accessing classes such as yoga can be extremely difficult and daunting. Sessions such as these not only allow individuals to develop self awareness both physically and mentally, supporting them to develop techniques to bring about a sense of well being, but also giving individuals an hour after a stressful day to move and breathe without the distractions from the outside world, is an absolute must!
All staff at Future Directions, are given access to Headspace which is an app offering meditation, another way to easily rid the mind of testing situations and can be done at any time of the day, anywhere. At Future Directions we offer Flexible Working providing a range of contractual working hours to fit in with people's lives and support work life balance. We also provide wellness solutions through Occupational Health. Our business is not 9-5 when supporting vulnerable individuals within the community so our working hours for each of our staff reflect this. For working parents who have children, we also offer childcare vouchers in order to lessen the financial burden of paying for expensive childcare.
The 'bike to work' scheme is also offered. Employees can purchase bikes at a discounted price in order to help support physical health, reduce the cost of commuting to and from work, reducing overall stress at the workplace.
We have partnered with 'simply health' which is a health scheme people can opt into if they wish for peace of mind and ability to access services more efficiently. For individuals who need a little more support within the workplace, we have access to a variety of different therapies in order to feel that whilst in their working environment they feel valued and safe.
We have an occupational health team who offer lots of support regarding general health, overall mental well being. We offer support and advice in regards to flu vaccinations etc which can help employees to feel protected when working in the social care sector. We also deliver training for all of our managers to help them recognise stress and 'burn out, including how they can offer practical support to indivdiuals.
All cases of stress are different and are caused by different factors for each individual, leading to each individual using different types of stress management tools. The more we can support stress to not occur in the workplace will help our staff and volunteers carry out their roles with confidence and ease, allowing all of the people we support a better service and a more fulfilling life.
