June 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:
- Managing Sickness Absence (MSA) for Employers webinar
- Managing Sickness Absence e-learning
- HWW are looking for your success stories!
- Free NHS Wales Apps for Diabetes Prevention and Management
- Have your say: Help shape a more inclusive Wales for disabled people
- Welsh Government significantly expands flexible skills programme
- Campaign dates for July
Feel free to share our newsletter with your colleagues or networks, along with our sign-up details and previous editions.
Managing Sickness Absence (MSA) for Employers webinar
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended our MSA webinar last week – we hope you found the session valuable!
If you couldn’t make it, here are the key takeaways:
- Trends in sickness absence in the UK and Wales
- Engaging with employees in preventative approaches to health
- An insight from Melin Homes (Hedyn) on effectively managing sickness absence
- Accessing resources, including a free e-learning package on MSA
Thank you to our Workplace Health Advisers Nikki and Deanna for running the webinar and to Melin Homes (Hedyn) for allowing us to feature your insights during the session.
A recording will be made available on our website soon.
You can also visit our website to find out more about managing sickness absence.
Active travel webinar – save the date!
Our next webinar will be taking place on 17th September 2025 – we’ll be sharing more information, including how to register to attend, soon!
Managing Sickness Absence e-learning
Managing sickness absence can be a challenge for small and growing businesses.
Our free, 20-minute e-learning module is designed to give you practical strategies to manage absenteeism while supporting your team’s health and productivity.
What is in the module?
- Proactive absence management: Simple strategies to reduce absenteeism
- Sickness absence data analysis: Importance of tracking and interpreting absence trends
- Communication tips: Keep open communication with employees
- Expert advice: Stay compliant with employment laws
Developed in partnership with Business Wales, the module is available on the Business Wales BOSS platform.
HWW are looking for your success stories!
Do you have any examples of good practice that you would like to share? If so, we want to hear from you!
We’re looking for real-life examples of how organisations have addressed important health and wellbeing issues in their workplaces to feature on our website and other platforms.
By sharing your success, you can inspire others to improve workplace health and wellbeing, as well as boosting collaboration and performance.
Get in touch with us to share your story: [email protected].
Free NHS Wales Apps for Diabetes Prevention and Management
Three free apps are now available through NHS Wales to help prevent and manage Type 2 diabetes.
With one in five Welsh adults living with diabetes or prediabetes, these tools offer valuable support for those affected or at risk.
Key features include:
- Weekly tracking dashboards
- Interactive learning modules
- Activity tracking tools
- Expert advice from healthcare professionals
- Goal-setting and challenges
- Access to a supportive community of over 60,000 users
- You can also invite family members to join you on the platforms, creating a support network that has been proven to significantly improve outcomes.
How to access these services:
Anyone in Wales can download these apps at no cost by completing a simple online form:
- MyDESMOND Wales – for people with a Type 2 diagnosis
- Let’s Prevent Wales – for people who are pre-diabetic or have gestational diabetes.
You’ll need your NHS number, which can be found on the NHS Wales app, any recent prescription, appointment letter, or by asking your GP practice.
For more information, visit the Public Health Wales Website.
Have your say: Help shape a more inclusive Wales for disabled people
The Welsh Government has launched a public consultation on its Disabled People’s Rights Plan, setting out a bold ambition to improve the inclusion, participation and rights of disabled people in all areas of life — including employment.
As an employer in Wales, your voice matters. You play a vital role in creating inclusive workplaces that enable disabled people to thrive. This consultation is your opportunity to help shape future policies that support better access to employment, fair treatment and long-term career progression for disabled individuals.
Why get involved?
- Help inform policies that support inclusive recruitment and workplace practices
- Ensure the needs and perspectives of employers are reflected in national plan
- Contribute to a fairer, more equal Wales where everyone can fulfil their potential
Take part in the consultation today.
The consultation is open until 7 August 2025, and we encourage all employers — large and small — to respond.
To read the plan and share your views, visit the Welsh Government website.
Welsh Government significantly expands flexible skills programme
The Welsh Government has announced a substantial increase in funding for its Flexible Skills Programme, boosting annual investment from £1.3 million to over £7.5 million. This enhancement aims to address skills shortages by providing accredited training opportunities for employees across Wales. Employers can now access grants covering 50% of training costs, up to £50,000 per business per year, to support upskilling in key sectors such as engineering, digital, green technologies, and leadership.
Skills Minister Jack Sargeant emphasised the programme’s role in supporting Welsh businesses to invest in their workforce, stating, “We are determined to do all we can to support their ambition and develop the skills needed for future success.”
For more information on the Flexible Skills Programme, visit the Welsh Government’s official announcement.
Campaign dates for July
Plastic Free July (July 1-31)
Plastic Free July is a global movement that empowers people to reduce plastic pollution for a cleaner environment. Your business can play its part too:
- Implement initiatives to reduce plastic use in the workplace
- Educate employees about sustainable practices
- Encourage participation in challenges to reduce single-use plastic consumption
Find out how your workplace can get involved in Plastic Free July.
Alcohol Awareness Week (9-13 July)
Theme: Understanding Alcohol Harm in the Workplace
Alcohol Awareness Week, led by Alcohol Change UK, provides a valuable opportunity for employers to promote healthier choices, raise awareness about the impact of alcohol on wellbeing, and support a culture of openness and support.
Employers can get involved by raising awareness through internal communications, hosting educational sessions, signposting support services, and reviewing workplace alcohol policies to promote a healthier and more supportive work environment.
Find out more on the Alcohol Awareness Week campaign page.
Information and resources about a range of health and wellbeing awareness campaigns can be found on our website.