Small and micro businesses across Wiltshire are being invited to take part in a fully funded workplace mental health programme designed to help teams stay well, productive and resilient.
Wiltshire Working Well is a three-year initiative funded by Wiltshire Council Public Health and delivered by Rethink Mental Illness, in partnership with HELP Counselling Services. The programme offers practical mental health awareness training alongside early-intervention counselling, giving smaller employers access to support that is often out of reach.
The offer is open to businesses based in, or delivering services within, the Wiltshire Council area. Employees must work within the same footprint. Swindon businesses are not included, as they are covered by a separate local authority.
All places are fully funded, meaning there is no cost to employers or their staff. Demand is expected to be high, particularly among micro businesses and SMEs, so early booking is encouraged.
A series of training courses is scheduled to take place during Mental Health Awareness Week, running from 11 to 17 May. The timing gives businesses a ready-made opportunity to focus on wellbeing at work and to equip staff with practical skills they can use straight away, both to support themselves and their colleagues.
The programme is designed with smaller organisations in mind. A single long-term absence can have a disproportionate impact on cashflow and service delivery, while burnout and stress often lead to higher staff turnover and recruitment costs. Low mood, unresolved conflict and ongoing pressure can quietly undermine productivity long before problems become visible.
Wiltshire Working Well focuses on prevention, helping employers spot issues earlier and respond with confidence. Sessions are short, practical and built around the realities of everyday working life, rather than lengthy courses that take people away from the business for long periods.
Businesses can book onto open courses as individuals or teams, or request closed sessions tailored to their organisation. Full details of the available training and how to book can be found in the programme brochure, with bookings managed through Eventbrite.