April 2025

Welcome to the Healthy Working Wales (HWW) newsletter

Our monthly newsletter provides regular updates from the HWW team, including workplace health and wellbeing news and links to upcoming campaigns and events.

This month:

  • HWW new website update
  • Still time to get involved
  • New ‘Keep Britain Working’ review commissioned
  • Help your team thrive during Stress Awareness Month
  • HWW engages at round table event on wellbeing
  • Save the date – Managing Sickness Absence webinar
  • Campaign dates for May

Feel free to share our newsletter with your colleagues or networks, along with our sign-up details and previous editions.

A close up of colleagues looking at a laptop on a desk, one of them is pointing at the screen.

HWW new website update

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new website!

Designed specifically for employers, our website provides accessible resources and expert guidance on a wide range of topics to help businesses improve workplace health and wellbeing.

Visit our new website to explore all the new features and resources available.

Over the coming year we will be adding more new features and resources, which we look forward to sharing with you.

We’d love to know what you think of our new site, please contact us with any feedback.

Go to the HWW website
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Still time to get involved

Have you completed our employer survey yet?

Employers across Wales are invited to take a short survey to share how you access workplace health and wellbeing information, the challenges you face and how we can better support your business.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to complete this survey. Your insights are shaping the future of HWW.

Take the 5 minute survey
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New ’Keep Britain Working’ review commissioned

The UK Government has commissioned Sir Charlie Mayfield to undertake the Keep Britain Working independent review, focussed on:

  • What more employers can do to tackle economic inactivity due to ill-health and disability and
  • What the government would need to do to encourage and support people living with ill-health and disabled people in work

Sir Mayfield and his review team are keen to hear your views. To facilitate engagement, he has published his ‘discovery phase report’. This can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Stakeholders and people with lived experience are invited to provide written feedback using the following GOV.UK form. Responses are welcome in English or Welsh.

The GOV.UK website also includes the Terms of Reference for the Keep Britain Working Review.

A group of male colleagues standing in an office holding mugs while they talk to each other and laugh.

Help your team thrive during Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month — a perfect time to reflect on how you can help your team manage workplace stress. Providing the right support benefits both your employees and your business, leading to higher productivity, lower sickness absence, improved morale and more.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends five simple steps to prevent and reduce stress at work:

  1. Reach out and have conversations
  2. Recognise the signs and causes of stress
  3. Respond to any risks you’ve identified
  4. Reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken
  5. Make it routine

You can learn more about these steps on the HSE website.

For additional support and guidance, visit our Stress Management in the Workplace page.

HWW engages at round table event on wellbeing

We had a fantastic morning co-hosting the Learning Together Series: Employee Health and Wellbeing Round Table event alongside Bevan Commission and CBI Wales.

The event gave an opportunity to bring together senior leaders from businesses in Wales to explore challenges and opportunities in employee health and wellbeing. It was great to gain insights, share experiences and build connections with all those who attended.

Dr Helen Howson, Director of the Bevan Commission, shared:

“The Bevan Commission is delighted to be collaborating with key partners like CBI Wales, Public Health Wales’ Healthy Working Wales programme, Business in the Community, and Industry Wales. Sharing insights and learning together is important if we are going to effectively promote and improve employee health and well-being. This partnership provides a great platform for doing just that.”

HWW Consultant Lead, Oliver Williams, also reflected on the event:

“The occasion provided a fantastic platform to engage with business owners and employers from across Wales. It was great to have the opportunity to share experiences and explore the opportunities and challenges around employee health and wellbeing. I look forward to further discussions and developing connections made at the event”.

Stay subscribed to our newsletter to receive updates about future events.

Save the date – Managing sickness absence webinar

We’re excited to announce that our free Managing Sickness Absence webinar will be taking place on 11 June 2025.

We hope you’ll be able to join us – we’ll be in touch soon with more details, including how to register for the event.

Campaign dates for May

National Walking Month – May 2025

A physically active workforce can have a positive impact on your business – improving wellbeing, boosting performance, reducing absences and more.

This National Walking Month, encourage your staff to get moving. Supporting simple activities like walking can help your team feel better and promote a healthier, more engaged workplace.

To find out more and get involved, visit Living Streets’ campaign page.

Learning at Work Week – 12-18 May

Learning at Work Week returns this May with the national theme ‘Get Connected’, focusing on three activity strands:

  • Connect and grow
  • Connect and inspire
  • Connect and explore

This annual event is a great opportunity to promote learning in the workplace, boost employee engagement and support professional development through connection and collaboration.

To find out how your organisation can get involved, visit the About Learning at Work Week page.

Mental Health Awareness Week – 12-18 May

Mental Health Awareness Week is a valuable opportunity to open up conversations, reduce stigma and build a mentally healthier work environment.

This year’s theme is ‘Community’, highlighting the importance of connection and belonging for our mental wellbeing.

To find out more and access resources, visit Mental Health Foundation’s campaign page.

Dementia Action Week – 19-25 May

Dementia Action Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness and take action to support employees affected by dementia. Creating a dementia-friendly workplace can help reduce stigma, improve inclusion and support staff wellbeing.

To find out more and access resources, visit the Alzheimer’s Society campaign page.

Information and resources about a range of health and wellbeing awareness campaigns can be found on our website.

Go to campaigns and events