Local charity launches Colleague Wellbeing Day

Westbank, a Exminster-based charity dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing, recently demonstrated its commitment to staff welfare by hosting its first-ever Colleague Wellbeing Day.

Held on Blue Monday (20 January), often considered the most challenging day of the year, the event is part of the charity’s broader 'Better Place to Work' initiative.

The day offered a variety of activities centred on the Five Principles of Wellbeing: Connect, Get Active, Give, Take Notice, and Keep Learning.

Employees had the opportunity to participate in workshops on resilience, stress management, and mindfulness, alongside fitness sessions, health checks, arts and crafts, and cookery classes.

Westbank CEO Sarah Hicks explained, “Looking after ourselves and each other is incredibly important and, as Devon’s foremost health and wellbeing charity, it’s incredibly important to us. Our new Colleague Wellbeing Days will give our staff some valuable time out from their normal working day to embrace a comprehensive programme of new activities.”

Team members responded positively to the event. Michelle, an administrator, shared, “I’ve tried different things and connected with lots of people, some I knew and some I didn’t. It’s great and has certainly given us all a boost on what's widely considered to be one of the most depressing days of the year.”

David, Westbank’s Carer Participation Coordinator, praised the experience, saying, “It’s brilliant because I’ve only been with the charity for six months, and the level of support I’m now getting is just fantastic!”

The day utilised Westbank’s enhanced onsite facilities, including its Healthy Living Centre, accessible gym, and newly rebranded Community Hub. With plans to make this an annual event, the charity continues to prioritise staff wellbeing as part of its mission to create a supportive workplace.