It’s good to talk – the only stumbling block is, perhaps, who you feel comfortable talking to.
Staff wellbeing is a serious issue for many of today’s businesses, but when an employee feels the need to discuss personal matters – mental health, finances, general health and fitness – the workplace is not always somewhere they feel able to open up.
A new Northamptonshire organisation, huddleUp, was founded by Conner Botterill and his business partner Adam Franklin, who was working in IT as Conner was completing his degree in philosophy and psychology.
“We were having a conversation about how I could potentially provide counselling within the workplace and the idea occurred to me that there was a need for a bridge between staff and management,” said Conner.
“Companies are taking the wellbeing of their employees more seriously these days, but I think there’s still some way to go. It’s fine appointing and training mental health first aiders, for instance, but do staff want to share their problems with someone they’re going to be sitting beside all day, or standing next to in the lunch queue?
“What we’ve done is come up with a way that businesses can provide regular support on a completely confidential basis, with additional ad hoc help wherever it is needed.”
huddleUp creates bespoke packages, with costs calculated for each client depending on their needs. Options include staff surveys to give employees a voice and managers feedback on what employees want, like and don’t like. Where appropriate, this can be followed up with workshops on any issues that have been identified.
huddleUp also provides trained and trusted buddies, who are assigned to clients’ staff members and who make a monthly call to check in and discuss any issues. Staff can contact their designated buddy at any time during the month on a 24/7 WhatsApp service, and the buddy will arrange an additional ad hoc call in response. Where issues go beyond the remit of huddleUp, third party services that will be able to help can be recommended.
As well as corporate clients, individuals can also access huddle-Up’s services, at around £100 for three months counselling.
“Growing businesses can easily lose the personal approach with individual members of staff, and that’s what huddleUp can offer,” said Conner.
“We provide someone to talk to, knowing that it’s confidential. Sometimes that’s enough, but where we can’t take it any further – when people need further counselling, or something like financial advice or fitness training – then we will signpost them to where they can get help.
“Particularly among younger employees, we’re hearing more and more that wellbeing and benefits like this are more attractive in an employer than salary. And staff that are getting worries off their chest and feeling better about themselves are almost certain to be more productive, and more likely to stay in their job.
“We never feed information other than metrics back to the client. So, we might tell them that the majority of people are saying they want more flexible working, for instance. That gives them the feedback they’re looking for, without individuals having to bring up that subject themselves.
“Using huddleUp is a key factor in creating, maintaining and driving culture in a business by removing stress for staff and management and delivering support and feedback that is entirely tailored to each client.”
Find out more about huddleUp on 0330 043 2842, email sayhey@huddle-up.co.uk or visit the website.
