We launched our wellbeing champion training programme in 2020 to help employers respond to the wellbeing needs of staff during the pandemic. Since then, nearly 250 individuals have taken part in the programme from a mix of SMEs, colleges, care homes, charities and health boards.

Wellbeing Champions are often the first line of support for colleagues who are struggling at work. They can offer a listening ear, and are trained to signpost to appropriate support or specialist help where needed. They can also organise and promote wellbeing initiatives at work, helping to create a positive wellbeing culture.

The wellbeing champion training course can be taken on-line or in-house, comprising a 3-hour training session, completion of on-line workbooks and access to a toolkit of resources. The course is available in Welsh or in English.

The course helps delegates: 

• Explore what a wellbeing champion is, and what it is not
• Understand the role and responsibilities of a wellbeing champion
• Develop skills in empathetic and active listening
• Explore ideas for planning and resourcing wellbeing activities

All those completing the course are invited to attend quarterly on-line network meetings. These offer our wellbeing champions a chance to connect, and to receive continuing professional development through follow-up training sessions and guest speaker presentations.

The programme forms a central part of any organisation’s wellbeing strategy, creating a dynamic in-house resource that can offer peer support to colleagues and help to drive forward and embed a wellbeing culture in the workplace.