Thrive

Good health and wellbeing are often a precursor to a person being able to make the most of their talents and potential.

Our Thrive network supports the health and wellbeing of all employees to promote high levels of performance both physically and mentally across the group. The Thrive committee runs a series of events and training programmes throughout the year to raise awareness and to inspire our people to take care of themselves and those around them.

Encouraging participation

Not everyone has access to wellbeing activities, so we find ways to encourage people to get involved in free-to-attend sessions. Examples include sleep workshops, mindfulness sessions, fitness classes (yoga/ HIIT), health and wellbeing webinars, walking sessions over lunchtime, and local office running clubs. We also have our own Gateley Strava club to encourage each other with our fitness goals. 

From weekly fruit baskets, reduced gym memberships and yoga classes to sleep clinics, menopause workshops and conquering mountains together, we aim to support our people in a range of ways to be able to bring their best selves to work. 

Mental health first aiders

There is no health without mental health. We recognise that life has its ups and downs and our ability to cope with how we feel can vary at different points. We have trained and certified a large group of mental health first aiders across the business who can listen, support and if needed, signpost our people to professional help. They are also able to offer guidance on other supports that someone experiencing mental ill health may find useful. 

Our line managers receive mandatory mental health training, and we train all our people in how to build tools and skills for personal resilience. We have an employee assistance programme where all staff can access free counselling and support for a wide range of issues. 

Mindful Business Charter

We are proud to have signed up to the Mindful Business Charter in 2021. The Charter is aimed at reducing avoidable workplace stress and provides a set of best practice behaviours and guidelines for how organisations should work both internally and externally with clients and other advisers. Elements of the charter promote inclusive practices around staff being able to work in an agile fashion around other commitments and priorities and respecting colleagues through smarter meetings, mindful delegation and rest periods.

We regularly run Managing for Mental Health training and a Stress Balance course, both of which receive excellent feedback in terms of effectiveness and application to role.

Menopause awareness

We have partnered with Talking Menopause to create a workplace culture of menopause openness and understanding for all. We are proud to have signed up to the Workplace Menopause Pledge demonstrating our commitment to taking positive action to make sure everyone going through the perimenopause and menopause is supported. We have delivered menopause awareness training to all employees to better support those employees affected by the menopause, their colleagues and managers. We delivered additional training to line managers to ensure that they felt confident in talking about menopause within their teams.

Gateley getting active

We regularly field teams in the annual Blenheim Triathlon while fundraising in aid of Group charities. This is one of the most spectacular triathlons in Europe, set against the backdrop of a World Heritage site. 

We have also had numerous groups from across the company complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in aid of charity. 

Our ‘walking with Gateley’ events, which see clients and contacts spend the day rambling in areas such as the Ilkley countryside and the Peak District, have been well-received active alternatives to the ‘the usual’ corporate events.