Living well together

Cecilia While, Staff Development Consultant and Diane Bunch, Safety and Wellbeing Advisor, recently showcased Wellness@UoN at the Service Improvement Conference at the University of South Australia.

UoN is committed to promoting health and wellness opportunities for its staff. This also extends to families and communities in elements such as Fitness Passport and 'Breathing Space' performances.

The whole program is known as Wellness@UoN.

Wellness@UoN takes a holistic view of the person and the environment and the community people are in. Workforce wellness is a key focus for contemporary tertiary institutions.

The Wellness@UoN program is inspired by international research findings, and combatting growing first world health issues, such as diabetes, obesity and cholesterol. It aims to offer something for every 'body' and 'mind' and to not be judgemental.

The Wellness@UoN philosophy is 'living well together'.

To live well together, the program is structured around five elements: financial, mental, physical, social, and creative. Examples of successful programs include the Employee Assistance Program, Tai Chi, Global Corporate Challenge, Healthy Heart Checks and Mental Health First Aid.

Wellness@UoN is a reflection of the high level of interest the University takes in its staff's wellbeing.

"We want people to come to work, to look forward to being on campus and the investment of money, space and experts rightly promote a view that the University cares about its staff,” Cecilia and Diane explain.

At the conference Cecilia and Diane received positive feedback and a request for further information from other universities across Australia and New Zealand.