At Welcome Break, we believe that raising awareness of stress-related support begins with being able to recognise when someone might be struggling. Stress, if left unaddressed, can lead to wider mental health challenges, so spotting the early signs is key.
We are proud to have a dedicated team of trained mental health first aiders across our business. They are equipped to identify signs of stress, start open and supportive conversations, and signpost team members to the wealth of resources and guidance available.
Our leaders play an equally vital role. Every site manager and head office department leader has completed a mental health awareness course, ensuring they can step in confidently when a team member might need extra support.
All colleagues have access to our Welcome Break wellbeing centre: a hub of advice and tools to support mental health and overall wellbeing. This includes our Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing, a practical toolkit for both managers and team members to better understand how to support each other.
We also promote We Care, our 24/7 employee assistance programme, which provides access to virtual GP appointments, mental health support, and resources to help prevent burnout. Recognising that financial worries can contribute to stress, we also offer a financial wellbeing platform that helps colleagues save, budget, and improve their financial confidence.
Above all, we are committed to normalising conversations about stress, burnout, and mental health. By talking openly and creating a culture where everyone feels comfortable sharing how they are feeling, we can prevent challenges from escalating and make sure every team member feels supported to bring their best self to work.
Nicola Marshall is people director at Welcome Break
