This week has seen the first signs of elements of lockdown being eased by Government, with some companies preparing to welcome staff back into work and a national conversation about the possibility of children returning to school before the summer. Measures are also being put in place to ensure that it is as safe as possible for people to use public transport if they have no alternative.
As we head into the Bank Holiday weekend, many of us will no doubt take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy more exercise outdoors. Please remember social distancing rules remain in place and it is vital that we follow Government guidance to stay alert. However, there are many mental and physical health benefits from being able to safely take regular exercise and I’m certain that this will help.
We’ve been able to support the Government’s change in emphasis through a new series of Business Recovery webinars forming part of our #HereForBusiness campaign. This has included sessions on the practical adaptations for manufacturing and warehouse and office settings. The sessions can be replayed here and show the resilience and innovation within businesses that we are proud to support.
While there are now positive signs that we are at least starting to talk about economic recovery and a return of some previous normalities, it is clear that many of the measures introduced to keep us safe will be part of our lives over the long term and it’s important for us to understand how the Growth Company needs to react to evolving needs.
We would like to understand how the coronavirus crisis has affected your well-being and on a more practical level, whether you are able to work in a way that is comfortable and safe. Some colleagues may also be concerned about the prospect of returning to an office, or face uncertainty about the practicalities of working from home alone, or with school age children. We can only seek to address these concerns if we understand them.
We’d like you to complete the following survey which will be used to inform any additional guidance and support we may need to put in place, now and in the future, as well as provide valuable insight into how we might need to shape our working practices over the longer-term. We will continue to seek feedback as the situation and our approach evolves.
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, a timely reminder that managing and protecting our mental health is every bit as important as managing and protecting our physical health. These extraordinary times have increased the likelihood of social isolation, anxiety and stress. To celebrate this year’s theme – kindness – we would like to share with you a video of how your colleagues have been being kind to themselves and others during these challenging times. It’s great to see the support you’ve shown each other, with over 200 kindness ecards being sent this week, they are still available on the Hive and are a great way to check in with your colleagues. We have added all the random acts of kindness colleagues have shared, along with information on how to stay connected and support services on the coronavirus hub. We have also produced an excellent Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources Pack which is available for download here.
Today also marks the three-year anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack where 22 lives were sadly lost and many more were injured. Ongoing support and information is available to those affected by the Manchester Arena attack and the anniversary. The NHS Manchester Resilience Hub is also offering advice to help deal with any emotional issues that may arise.
I hope you all have a great bank holiday weekend and that the weather continues to be good.