A major North Wales employer is putting staff wellbeing first during Mental Health Awareness Week this year with a series of events to support staff and encourage open conversations around mental health.

Watkin Property Ventures, a Bangor-based property company has planned a full week of activities from 12th to 18th May, designed to help staff build positive habits for mental wellbeing at work and beyond.

The week kicks off with a reminder that counselling and support is available to all employees. The company will be sharing guidance with its team on how to access these services, encouraging anyone struggling to seek help, whether for themselves or someone close to them.

WPV’s long-running staff book club will also play a part in the week’s events, offering a chance to unwind over a good book. From fiction and memoirs to personal development, colleagues have said it is proving to be a popular way for them to connect outside of work topics.

On Wednesday 14th May, staff will be encouraged to step away from their desks and take part in a Wellness Walk. Whether walking alone, with a colleague or as part of a group, the lunchtime stroll will be a chance to get some fresh air and reset.

To keep the momentum, a Step Challenge will run throughout the week, with a competition helping to encourage daily movement – with a prize for those who go the extra mile. Rounding off the week’s activities will be a ‘Bring and Share Lunch’ where everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to enjoy together.

Founder and CEO of Watkin Property Ventures, Mark Watkin Jones said: “Mental Health Awareness Week gives us a valuable opportunity to focus on what really matters and how we look after ourselves and each other. Our aim is to create a workplace where people feel supported and can speak openly about their wellbeing. This is an important part of our values as a company – and knowing that the small things can often have a big impact.”

The company is keen to share this vision and the importance of prioritising mental health, not just for one week, but throughout the year.

Photo: WPV staff at their Bangor office