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 are proud to have partnered with Talking Menopause to create a workplace culture of menopause openness and understanding for all. 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.

Blenheim Triathlon 

In May 2022, a Gateley team took part in the Blenheim Triathlon, one of the most spectacular triathlons in Europe, set against the backdrop of a World Heritage site. Everyone was on fantastic form, and it was so great to see people completing a triathlon for the first time, people coming first in the swim and others smashing their target times – but most of all people having fun and getting out there to give it a go. The team raised over £1,000 for SportsAid at the event.

Three Peaks Challenge

In July 2022, 34 people from across Gateley completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in support of the NSPCC. Split into five groups, teams battled through the sunshine and rain to climb Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent. The fastest group finished in 9 hours and 40 minutes. Those taking part have raised more than £6,000 for the NSPCC, which will help protect children and prevent abuse. 

Walking with Gateley 

We have also organised a number of walking events and invited clients and contacts to join us, instead of ‘the usual’ corporate event. In summer 2022, over 40 people spent the day rambling around the Ilkley countryside in Yorkshire, taking in Langbar and Beamsley Beacon.

In September 2022, colleagues from our Manchester office invited clients to join them on a 10-mile (16km) route in Hathersage in the Peak District taking in the Dark Peak, the White Peak, the Chatsworth Estate and Hope Valley.