Speakers line-up for Swindon Mindful Employer - but no snow please !

9:20am Wednesday 20th January 2010

By Wellbeing At Work

Been preparing for our Network meeting which takes place on the 27th January at the offices of Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons in Penny Lane. We have a full agenda and quite a few speakers and interesting topics – I just hope the weather behaves itself ! Nothing more annoying or stressful than sorting out a busy meeting and sending invites only to find the white stuff falling from the sky ruins it for you. That’s life, as Esther Rantzen used to say.

I spoke to our guest speaker Jonathan Naess from Stand to Reason (see photo)this week. He tells me progress has been made in parliament with all main parties indicating a change in attitudes on mental illness in the corridors of power. Many people who have suffered from mental illness are barred from standing to be an MP under current law - at last the House realises this is not acceptable. Regardless of who wins the next election a more positive approach to dealing with mental health and well-being at work will happen. However let us not forget this minor revolution will take place with a backdrop of challenging economic times when people feel insecure and jobs come and go. More work for our local Psychology Service, I fear. Which brings me back to our guest speakers for the 27th !

Geoff Windle, who is a Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner will be explaining how the service, in conjunction with local GPs, supports the Swindon community. There will be an emphasis on how the Psychology Service, along with other care agencies, provides assistance to employees in returning to work.

"Our aim is to help people to recover from periods of stress, depression and anxiety and to get back to living full and productive lives," says Geoff.

“We appreciate that for many people work is therapeutic - and helping employees through mental illness and back into the workplace is part of our role".

Geoff is one of a team of around 20 Mental Health Practitioners and the service is used by around 4000 patients a year in the Swindon area.

Also taking part in the Mindful Employer meeting on the 27th January will be Emily Leadbetter of Capita Business Services - and a talk from Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and Kate Kyne who will be looking at the collaborative work of HR and Occupational Health at Great Western Hospital.