Dutch paints and coatings business AkzoNobel has just completed a month’s worth of health and wellbeing initiatives, which saw it squeeze in 110 different activities during March.
The organisation’s ‘Wellfest’ month was specifically designed to support the health, wellness and happiness of employees and their families in recognition of the fact most were still working under continued lockdown conditions.
The events took place in seven virtual ‘tents’ and received more than 3,000 bookings from staff throughout the month.
The festival included talks from a range of personalities including ex-Special Forces soldier and star of TV show SAS: Who Dares Wins, Jason Fox, and from three-time Guinness World Record holder Victoria Humphries. Wellness sessions were also on offer, with one featuring an appearance by celebrity and wellness champion Fearne Cotton.
Adventurer and author Dave Cornthwaite gave a special talk around the topic of ‘challenging limiting beliefs’, while management also held a series of breakfast briefings across the group.
Commenting on the initiatives, Steve Hill, territory manager at AkzoNobel UK and Ireland, who was part of the team that organised the festival, said: “The responses we’ve had have been heartwarming. It’s great to see so many people inspired by what they’ve heard.”
He added: “It’s also very encouraging to hear how attendees plan to implement the tips, exercises and lessons they have learnt through the events into their daily lives.”
Milly Hutchinson, head of communications and public affairs at AkzoNobel UK and Ireland, commented: “The wellbeing of our colleagues has always been a priority but, over the past year, the need to offer different support as we navigate this challenging period has become increasingly apparent.”
Feedback for the sessions has been overwhelmingly positive, the company reported. One employee said: “I am loving Wellfest; there have been some great, massively engaging sessions.”
Another added: “Starting your day with some mindfulness gives you a little spring in your step for the rest of the day. Highly recommended.”
The suite of events follows AkzoNobel recently being recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer in the UK.