STAFF at an Exminster-based charity were treated to a day of ‘wellbeing’ as part of a commitment to the mental and physical health of employees.

Westbank Community Health and Care, which supports the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities across the county, showed how much it cares about its own staff with the first Colleague Wellbeing Day.

Part of a wider initiative called Better Place to Work, the day is scheduled to take place once a year.

Held on Blue Monday, considered one of the most challenging days of the year, the event featured a pack programme of activities including workshops to teach resilience and stress management skills, promote healthy eating and encourage team members to try out new ways to exercise to stay fit and healthy.

The whole day was themed around the ‘five principles of wellbeing’: Connect, Get Active, Give, Take Notice and Keep Learning.

Westbank’s CEO Sarah Hicks said: ‘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 including hobbies, exercise classes, health walks, cookery classes and workshops focusing on mindfulness, developing better sleep habits, breathwork and coping with stress.

‘It’s all part of our drive to make Westbank a ‘Great Place to Work’, an initiative that offers a broad package of benefits to support staff and help them thrive.’

Participants were provided with a healthy communal lunch and a small wellbeing gift to take home with them.

Michelle Dodson, who works in admin for Westbank’s Volunteering Team, said: ‘It’s been a great day. I’ve tried different things and connected with lots of people, some I knew and some I didn’t. I attended the Resilience Workshop and had a health check. I’m also doing a group walk and I’ve just signed up for two new activities, women’s rugby and shooting, both of which were completely unexpected.

‘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.’

Emma Bayliss, who coordinates Time for You, one of the charity’s volunteer projects, said: ‘I got a lot from the Resilience Workshop, some different ways of thinking about tackling issues, deciding which problems you can’t do anything about and it’s not helpful to worry about in the present moment and which are practical issues you can take action to improve.

‘I’ve also done yoga for the first time in ages and it’s reenergised me. I intend to make that a regular activity now. The whole day has been great for team building and makes you feel part of something bigger.’

David Yuill, Westbank’s Carer Participation Coordinator, said: ‘It’s brilliant because I’ve only been with the charity for six months, having moved from the education sector where I was a headteacher, and the level of support I’m now getting is just fantastic.’

The event made full use of new and improved onsite facilities at Westbank’s Healthy Living Centre including the community cookery school; Gymclusive, Westbank’s inclusive and accessible gym; the events studio; activity room and the charity’s recently rebranded space, the Community Hub at Westbank.