At Advance TRS we are excited to kickstart the year with our wellness initiatives, to combat the fallout of ‘Blue January’. This is designed to encourage our employees to prioritise their mental and physical health, fostering a positive and supportive work culture.  

‘Blue January’, also known as the ‘January Blues,’ is a term used to describe the post-holiday period when people may experience a dip in mood and motivation. At Advance TRS, we view this as an opportunity to proactively support and encourage our team to set themselves up for a positive start to the year.  

Our wellness program has always been at the center of our employee experience and is the driving force behind our promoted initiatives in Blue January. These initiatives focus on helping our team to strengthen their efforts to prioritize mental health, stress management, and work-life balance.    

Why wellness matters to us.  

We recognise the significance of a workplace where mental and physical health is not just encouraged but prioritised. A positive culture around wellness empowers individuals, enhances productivity, and provides a positive workplace. 

What we do at Advance TRS 

Mental Health Awareness Week  

Every year, we use Mental Health Awareness Week as a powerful platform to raise awareness and educate. At Advance TRS, we take proactive steps to support our team’s well-being with the presence of two dedicated Mental Health first-aiders. They serve as a go-to resource for anyone within our organisation seeking advice, guidance, or simply a listening ear. Their training ensures that they can provide valuable insights, direct individuals to additional support, and create a safe space for open conversations. This commitment reflects our ongoing efforts to prioritise mental health and create a supportive environment for everyone at Advance TRS.  

Wellness Hour  

Each week, we offer staff the opportunity to embrace their wellness hour – a dedicated time to either conclude their workday an hour earlier or commence it an hour later to encourage activities that contribute positively to their mental health.  

By empowering our team to use this hour for personal well-being activities, we help them to prioritise self-care and recognise the impact it can have on overall mental health. This aligns with our commitment to a healthier work-life balance supporting a culture that values and supports the well-being of each team member.  

Available Support. 

Our Wellbeing Hub offers impartial and confident support via a 24-hour counseling helpline, with access to debt legal and child/dependent care advisors the opportunity to have a “Live Chat” with a counselor as well as a wealth of practical tips, help sheets, and stimulating reading.   

Join us  

Ready to be part of a team that values your wellbeing as much as you? Join Advance TRS where your journey is not just about building a career but nurturing a balanced life. Visit our Work for Us Page to explore the current opportunities open to you.  

Mental Health issues are common, especially depression, anxiety and those associated with misuse of alcohol and other drugs. Research indicates that 1 in 4 people experience some form of mental health issue in a year.

There are many myths and misunderstandings about mental health issues stemming from a lack of knowledge. This may result in people avoiding or not responding to someone with mental ill-health or not seeking professional help themselves. With greater community awareness, people will be able to better understand their own mental health and feel more comfortable about seeking out professional assistance.

Early intervention initiatives target those with mental health issues or developing mental health issues to prevent difficulties from becoming more serious and reducing the risk of knock-on effects.

Take a look at our Mental Health Matters Magazine for more information.

What you can do to help your colleagues:

Look out for changes in their mood and behaviour

Are they late or absent from work more? Are they isolating themselves? Do they get agitated easily and often feel overwhelmed? These could all be signs that someone is struggling with their mental health.

Talk

If you are concerned about a colleague, check if they’re ok. Ask them if they want to go for a walk or a cup of tea. Create a safe environment so they can open up to you if they need to.

Invite them for lunch 

Especially in contracting, where someone might move roles and businesses regularly, it can help them to feel more included and maintain social contact at work.

Create an environment where mental health is spoken about openly

Let colleagues know that it is ok to ask for help and support and encourage it. An Intranet page with useful links and information on confidential support services that are available can also be useful. 

Do some physical or mindfulness exercises… 

…as a team once or twice a week during lunch. This might become a regular activity that helps your colleagues’ mental wellbeing and acts as a team bonding exercise at the same time.

If you or someone you know needs urgent help or support, there are a variety of services available. Your organisation may also provide you with confidential access to counselling and advice line services.

Remember, you are not alone! 

We take Mental Health seriously

At Advance TRS, we prioritise the mental wellbeing of our staff. To provide a first point of contact when needed, we have appointed qualified Mental Health First Aiders. We also offer a Wellbeing Hub, where confidential support via an EAP helpline can be accessed at any time. These are only some of the steps we have taken and we continue to improve our mental health awareness.

We are currently recruiting, so if you want to work for a company that places Mental Health and Wellbeing as a priority send us your CV or take a look at our latest vacancies.

In the UK alone, more than 10 million workdays are lost each year as a result of work-related stress. In comparison, just over 4 million workdays are lost each year as a result of work-related injuries. Stress is the frequently overlooked silent killer of the workplace, chipping away behind the scenes, often with no visible symptoms or indicators.

Check out our top five tips to combat stress!

1. Eat well.

It can be quick and easy to pick up processed foods or ready meals but you’ll be lacking that vital nutrition that comes from fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables. Aim to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day and steer clear from short-term energy boosts such as caffeinated drinks. Caffeine blocks the neural signal that tells your body that it’s out of energy, leading to that late afternoon crash.

2. Get active.

Exercising for just 20 minutes per day can reduce stress and depression, simultaneously boosting self-esteem, energy and sleep quality. Not only that, but regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, by up to 50%!

3. Plan your day.

Prioritising your workload is essential to combating stress at work. Ensuring that you get the most important tasks finished first will go a long way to putting your mind at rest. If you can’t get everything done in your work hours, take solace in the fact that what’s left is less important than what you’ve accomplished.

4. Switch off.

The UK has the longest work hours in Europe and workers are commuting longer than ever before. This means people are spending less time doing the things that they enjoy. Take a couple of evenings a week to ignore your emails and spend time doing the things that make you happy.

5. Get social.

A problem shared is a problem halved. Having a supportive network of friends, family, and co-workers to discuss troubles with has been proven to reduce high levels of stress.