World Wellbeing Week 2023

Now in its fifth year, World Wellbeing Week returns in June 2023 to provide the opportunity for participants worldwide to celebrate the many aspects of wellbeing, from meaningful, purposeful work to financial security, physical, mental and emotional health, social resilience and empathic corporate and civic leadership, community relations and care for the environment. Wellbeing has never been so important to our lives and livelihoods. 
To mark World Wellbeing Week, we caught up with Louise, Business Administration Apprentice at Roke, Romsey, to learn how she looks after her health and wellbeing in and out of work.  

What’s your role, and where are you based? 

I am a Business Administration Apprentice based at the Roke office in Romsey.  

What does ‘Wellbeing’ mean to you? 

To me, wellbeing is having my body and mind in a state of happiness and health. 

How do you make time for your health and wellbeing at work? 

I make time for my health and wellbeing at work by taking advantage of the gorgeous Romsey grounds and spending some of my more informal meetings and catch ups grabbing coffee with colleague or walking around the grounds. So even when I’m working, I can move, spend time outside, and care for myself. 

What do you do outside of work to stay healthy? 

I go to the gym with my boyfriend or a friend 5/6 times a week as I’m currently on a weight loss journey. I use this time to unwind, socialise, and enjoy my music while doing something good for my health and wellbeing… the treadmill has also been my best friend since taking on the Around Chemring in 80 Days Challenge! I also have a horse who is my biggest stress relief. I love spending time outdoors with him or riding to keep my fitness up, and I find being around horses super therapeutic too. 

What activities/hobbies do you have? 

I love the gym, horse riding, socialising with friends and social media, and being a big foodie – I love cooking and trying new things! 

How do you relax? 

I relax by settling with a good series or movie and spending time with my boyfriend – I admit I can be quite a stress head, so I find it easiest to relax if I’m not thinking about things I need to do, so it helps to get invested in a gripping TV show or interesting conversation. Equally, I love my alone time spent scrolling through TikTok or online shopping, which I probably do a bit too much of! 

Do you think Chemring promotes a healthy workplace? 

Definitely, I have been supported well through Chemring’s wellbeing resources at times when I’ve felt overwhelmed or stressed, and I find that the people at Chemring demonstrate care and consideration to one another, which is really important in a workplace, in my opinion. Along with the resources and compassion between employees, I think the challenges that run within Chemring, such as Around Chemring in 80 Days and steps for change, really promote the care that Chemring has for the wellbeing of the employees. 

Why do you think employee wellbeing is a priority for employers? 

Employee wellbeing should be a priority for employers because healthy employees create a healthy workplace. When working five days a week, it is crucial to work somewhere that makes you feel happy, stimulated, healthy and supported; we spend too much time at work to spend it feeling unhappy and burnt out. Employee wellbeing also creates a huge impact on productivity. 

Are you aware of what is available to you locally to support your health and wellbeing? Can you give some examples? 

Locally to me, there are many things around to support health and wellbeing at home. As a teenager, I worked for a charity in a bowling alley which was run to fund a centre to help older people and people with limited mobility to move more and keep fit, using specialist equipment with additional help and support in place. The centre was a great addition to the community and well used and appreciated. There is also an abundance of well-maintained outdoor areas to walk and spend time locally to me, which I believe is super essential for wellbeing. 

Do you feel like your manager and/or your colleagues support one another? 

Since starting at Roke 10 months ago, I have felt very well supported by my manager and colleagues. Roke’s sense of community and care is unlike anywhere I have worked before. 

Do you check in with colleagues and ask how they’re doing/feeling?  

I always like to start an email or teams message asking how the person is and use this as an opportunity to offer support. It is important to remember that people are people, inside and outside of work, and they are more than the job they are working 9-5. Asking how someone is and if you can help can go a long way. 

Are you enjoying taking part in the Around Chemring in 80 Days challenge?  

I am loving it! I have been much more motivated to get my steps in each day, and I always feel super accomplished at the end of the day when looking at my move and exercise rings on my watch. It is also a great motivator to get me into the gym and on a treadmill or exercise bike when I’m feeling lazy! 

What activities have you carried out to clock up your miles?  

I have walked, ran, swam, cycled on an exercise bike and ridden my horse. 

Have you noticed any changes in your health and wellbeing since taking part in the 80 day challenge?  

I have noticed a significant increase in my daily calorie burn tracked by my watch; sometimes, I’m doubling my goal! This has been great for me as I have been trying to lose weight and get fitter to improve my health. I have also found that my sleep pattern has drastically improved, and I have had more energy throughout the day. My time at the gym or going out for a walk is also the time that I don’t look at my phone, which has been really beneficial to me. I’m a 19-year-old girl and can be practically glued to Snapchat and TikTok at times, so a break from consuming content online, which may negatively impact my wellbeing, has made a noticeable difference to my mood and mental wellbeing.