A mental health charity has joined forces with five partners to launch team-building packages for businesses.

Dorset Mind says its Minds Together initiative will help tackle loneliness in the workplace.

It points out that the current trend of hybrid working, while allowing employees extra flexibility, means staff have less human contact.

This, in turn, can impact their wellbeing.

The creative solution developed by the charity offers businesses the chance to invest in, and improve, the connectivity of their workplace.

It will also support Dorset Mind financially, allowing it to deliver essential 1-2-1 and group support and education for people in Dorset.

The charity is encouraging businesses to connect, learn and build their own Minds Together package.

Within this, they will choose a mental health educational session delivered by Dorset Mind’s training team combined with a fun activity from a range of trusted partners.

They are Rock Reef, R1SE Bournemouth, Resurface, Layla Gordon Nutrition and Eco in Mind – the charity’s own Ecotherapy Project.

Dorset Mind’s training sessions include:

• Mental Health Awareness
• Managing Stress, Anxiety and Burnout
• Boundaries and Resilience
• Courageous Conversations which encourages people to make conversations about mental health part of their everyday routine

Activities offered are based upon the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which have been proven to improve wellbeing:

• Connect – Rock Reef’s session encourages team-bonding by pushing people out of their comfort zones to compete on their climbing walls, a vertical slide and ‘Leap of Faith’ jump.
• Get Active – R1SE Bournemouth puts your team through their paces in a unique exercise class at their gym, located in the Hilton Bournemouth.
• Take Notice – Resurface emphasises employee wellbeing through adventurous team-building surf, yoga and cold-water sessions, set against the beach landscape at Bournemouth.
• Learn – Layla Gordon Nutrition teaches employees about the importance of gut health and how to cook nutritional, tasty food with your colleagues.
• Give Back – Supporting the Eco in Mind project by working on their allotments which is guaranteed to improve your mood, reduce stress and enjoy the benefits of nature around you.

Linda O’Sullivan, pictured left, CEO of Dorset Mind, said: “Mental health has had to become everyone’s business and employers have a duty to look after their employees’ wellbeing, whether they work remotely or in their business setting.

“Evolving from lockdowns, the hybrid way of working comes at a cost to social inclusion.

“What better way to boost your team’s morale than enjoying a team-building day, whilst supporting your local mental health charity too?”

For information about booking packages, prices and availability, contact Dorset Mind by email at partnerships@dorsetmind.uk.

Dorset Mind’s website – dorsetmind.uk/help-and-support – has details about the 1-2-1 and group support, education and training solutions offered by the charity.