British Safety Council has announced that global distribution company Grant and Bowman is the latest beneficiary of its Keep Thriving funding to support employee wellbeing.
Grant and Bowman attended a free 3-hour workshop earlier this year to help small and medium organisations (SMEs) develop a wellbeing strategy. The workshop was delivered by British Safety Council’s Being Well Together experts and, six months after attending, employers were invited to apply for funding with only the most effective and innovative proposals receiving approval.
The funding, of up to £10,000, will enable Grant and Bowman to implement their wellbeing strategy, including training for employees and management on mental health, stress management and resilience, as well as workshops on financial wellbeing, and expanding their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide colleagues with access to mental health support services, such as counselling and therapy.
Established in 1967, Grant and Bowman is a family-owned global distributor, working with the world’s leading manufacturers, licensors and brand owners to supply products across retail, with an emphasis on children’s brands.
Caley Priestley, Human Resources Manager at Grant and Bowman, said: “We are incredibly grateful to British Safety Council for the generous £10,000 investment in employee wellbeing. This significant funding will enable us to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our warehouse staff.
“We will allocate these funds to implement a range of initiatives, including mental health training, wellbeing workshops, and financial wellness programs. These initiatives are designed to boost employee morale, enhance productivity, and foster a more positive and fulfilling work environment.”
Commenting on the funding award, Mike Robinson, British Safety Council Chief Executive, said: “I am proud that, as a charity, British Safety Council is supporting SMEs in this way, and delighted that Grant and Bowman will now benefit. We are all aware of how even a modest amount of funding can make a huge difference to organisations which may lack the necessary resources for supporting employee wellbeing to a suitable degree.
“Grant and Bowman showed in their application that it would use this money in imaginative ways, and that they would measure, evaluate and track the impact of their activities carefully, allowing them to expand the range of opportunities they offer to support their colleagues -whether it be through challenges with physical, financial or mental wellbeing. British Safety Council is dedicated to making sure no-one is injured or made ill through their work and we are delighted to support Grant and Bowman in their efforts to ensure the same for their own employees.”
The 12-month funding was awarded to Grant and Bowman through British Safety Council’s Keep Thriving campaign, which seeks to improve the wellbeing of workers, within and outside of the workplace. This year recipients will also get access to British Safety Council’s Workplace Wellbeing Programme for 12 months. This not only includes a programme of training and available resources, but also access to a support manager.
