Healthy Working Wales new free services launch event

We're launching a new chapter for Healthy Working Wales, and we want you to be part of it! Join us to learn about our new, free services and resources designed to support health and wellbeing in businesses across Wales.

What to expect

During the morning, you’ll find out about our new Employer Survey Tool, Workplace Adviser Support and Peer Mentoring Programme, hear from a range of expert speakers and take part in an interactive workshop around young workers (16-24).

Refreshments, including a brunch buffet, will be provided and there will be the opportunity to network with other organisations from across Wales in attendance.

A full agenda is to follow.

Speakers

During the morning, we will be joined by:

Sarah Murphy MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing

On 11 September 2024, Sarah was appointed Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Prior to being elected, Sarah graduated from the School of Journalism, Media & Communication at Cardiff University with a MA in Digital Media & Society and worked for the Data Justice Lab. Her research focused on UK and international governments’ use of big data and algorithmic-design for public services, as well as AI in the workplace which is published in Transfer: European Journal of Labour and Research.

As Minister, her responsibilities include:

• Mental health services
• Suicide prevention
• Dementia
• Neurodiversity
• Learning disability
• Addiction services
• Health impact of problem gambling
• Tobacco and Vaping
• Substance misuse
• Food Standards Agency in Wales, including food safety
• Physical activity and active recreation in Wales
• Health innovation, technology and digital transformation
• Women’s health
• Armed Forces and Veterans’ health
• Health improvement and wellbeing services.

Professor Jim McManus, National Director of Health and Wellbeing

Jim McManus is National Director of Health and Wellbeing for Public Health Wales.

Until joining Public Health Wales he was President of ADPH which represents the professional voice of Directors of Public Health across the UK. For 11 and a half years he was Executive Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire. He has worked in local government, the third sector, the NHS and commercial sector. He served on the Board of ADPH for 9 years in various roles including Vice-President, leading on Sector Led Improvement and Quality Improvement in public Health and more.

Jim is a Visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol. He is an Honorary Vice-President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Jim was a Health Foundation Generation Q Fellowship with postgraduate studies in Leadership at Ashridge Business School and has recently completed a leadership programme at the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid. Jim is a Chartered Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, UKPHR Registered Public Health Specialist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society.

Oliver Williams, Consultant in Public Health

Oliver is a Consultant in Public Health in the Health Improvement Division at Public Health Wales.

He is the Consultant Lead for Healthy Working Wales, the National Exercise Referral Scheme, and Making Every Contact Count.

Oliver has worked in Public Health for six years, and in the NHS for 16 years.

Paul Billington, UK Health and Wellbeing Manager, Admiral

Paul Billington heads up Health & Wellbeing at Admiral.

He and his team are responsible for the creation and delivery of the company strategy around the holistic wellbeing and welfare of all colleagues in the UK.

Emily van de Venter, Consultant in Public Health Interim Director of Health Improvement with Public Health Wales

Emily van de Venter is a Consultant in Public Health and Interim Director of Health Improvement with Public Health Wales.

She has worked in Public Health for over 15 years and whilst her experience is broad, she specialises in population approaches to promoting mental health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities, building on expertise gained from her BSc Neuroscience and MSc Public Health.

She works closely with Welsh Government, NHS and non-health partners to support the implementation of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Wales, 2025-35.

Emily leads the Hapus programme which aims to inspire and enable people to take action to improve mental wellbeing, taking a positive psychology-informed approach to motivate individual and community-level action to protect and improve mental wellbeing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic Emily led on preventing and controlling outbreaks in workplaces within a Local Authority area in England. This role gave her insights into ways of working in a range of business and witnessed the dedication of business to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees.

Stands

You will also get the chance to hear from the Healthy Working Wales team and other organisations from across Wales, including In-work Support Services, including:

Business Wales

Business Wales is a Welsh Government service offering advice, support and guidance to individuals and businesses at all stages, from start-up to growth.

This specialised support includes business planning, financial management, HR advice, and marketing, with Business Wales playing a key role in supporting the economic strategy by fostering entrepreneurship and encouraging business growth across Wales.

RCS

RCS is a Welsh not-for-profit company providing a range of services to help transform lives and workplaces through a focus on wellbeing. This includes personalised support for those who find it hard to find or stay in work because of health challenges, alongside training to help businesses create happier, healthier work environments for all.

CIPD

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for human resources (HR), learning and development (L&D), organisation development (OD), and all people professionals – experts in people, work, and change.

With more than 160,000 members globally, and a growing community engaging with its research, insights, and learning, the CIPD provides trusted advice and independent thought leadership. It is also a leading voice in championing good work that creates value for everyone.

Hapus

Hapus is a national campaign that aims to inform, inspire and enable adults, families and communities to take action to improve mental wellbeing. Hapus takes a positive psychology-informed approach to promoting action across 8 Ways to Wellbeing:

• Connections
• Learning
• Physical Health
• Thoughts and Feelings
• History and Heritage
• Hobbies and Interests
• Nature.

Mind in Powys

In-work Support Service Powys provides support to those who are employed or self-employed (including people who are off work on sick leave) to make improvements to their mental or physical health. The support given is holistic and led by your needs.

In-work Support Service Powys also offer support to businesses to enable them to create happier, healthier workplaces.

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

The Federation of Small Businesses provides a strong unified voice for small businesses, ensuring that the voice of small business is heard at local, Welsh and UK government levels and by other key decision-makers. FSB also organises event of different kinds to help small businesses, and provides a range of essential business support services to help small businesses achieve their ambitions.

Case UK

Case-UK CIC is a community interest company established in 2016, delivering specialist health, wellbeing, and employability support across Wales and South-West England. With a compassionate, person-centred approach shaped by team members with lived experience, Case-UK helps individuals overcome physical and mental health barriers to gain, sustain, or return to work.

Through its three key programmes-the In-Work Support Service, Out-of-Work Service, and Able Futures-it provides free, confidential access to therapy, mentoring, and practical guidance for people in or out of employment.

Together, these services form a holistic support network that empowers individuals to recover, stay well, and thrive in work, creating healthier, happier, and more resilient communities.

Event details

We’re excited to say that our launch event is now fully booked!

Thank you to everyone who has registered. We’re looking forward to you joining us and will be in touch with details soon.

If you’ve missed out on a place, you can still sign up to our reserve list and we’ll be in touch if places become available.

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