The Fun Experts Join The Mental Health and Wellbeing Conversation at NWEEG Event
NWEEG's (North West Employee Engagement Group) event at the stunning Blackpool Winter Gardens brought together a room full of HR professionals and leaders for an honest and inspiring discussion around mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
The day began with a thought-provoking talk from one of our closest friends, Cheryle Britton of YOLO Wellbeing. Her session struck a chord with many, not just for its powerful insights but for its practical advice that had people adjusting their posture on the spot. With so many of us spending hours at desks and in front of screens, posture and musculoskeletal health have become real concerns. Cheryle highlighted the staggering £138 billion annual cost to the UK economy due to poor health, including stress and mental health challenges. It was a strong reminder of why this topic cannot be ignored.
Following her talk, our fabulous Fun Experts director, Sunny Sandwell, had the pleasure of joining a dynamic panel discussion alongside Kim Logan from ADR Mediation, Justine Forster from Advocacy Focus, and Kathryn Robinson FCIPD. We explored the often underestimated but vital role of fun in wellbeing strategies and the positive ripple effect it has across teams and businesses. The panel was brilliantly hosted by Andrew Stirrup and offered a wide range of perspectives and practical takeaways.
One message was clear throughout the event and that's that mental health and wellbeing can no longer be seen as side projects or optional extras. They need to be core elements of organisational culture, embedded consistently and supported by real action.
Sunny has previously stated that the mental wellbeing of her staff is of paramount importance to her: "Fun and engagement are not simply perks. They are essential components that help build resilience, boost morale, and drive productivity. When people feel good, they perform better, and the whole organisation benefits. There is a shared responsibility across all levels of leadership to nurture healthier, happier workplaces."
Today’s event was a powerful step forward in making that a reality.