The CLIENT 
Guildford Borough Council, Human Resources
Main contact: Jon Formby, HR Business Partner
Challenge 
Identify solutions that reduce stress and increase resilience to support staff wellbeing
Deliver more choice and flexibility for staff
Reduce stress-related sick days and absences
Offer a high-quality digital option providing participant confidentiality and strict GDPR, IS and IG compliance
Solution 
Digital Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy programme, easily integrated into wellbeing initiatives
Clinically proven and NHS-approved
Accessible on demand and web-app compatible with all devices, including smartphones
Dashboard including anonymised analytics showing clear success and effectiveness measurements
Outcomes 
Less stress-related absenteeism / sick days recorded
Be Mindful participants recorded:
51% reduction in depression
42% reduction in anxiety
26% reduction in stress
Improved accessibility and flexibility in delivery
Viable option for staff remote working during COVID-19 restrictions
"One clear reason for opting for Be Mindful is that it had evidently been tried and tested and had received medical validation. It's also very easy to measure the impact and report results into our corporate health and safety group."
"We've provided staff with a whole range of mental health support resources, including Be Mindful. One of the driving forces at the start was the flexibility of the Be Mindful programme, allowing people to self-manage, and do it when it fits them best."
Independent Feedback
LH
Independent Participant Review
SS
Independent Participant Review
“Attending this course, l learned to handle many issues which arise during my work life. Now l am more relaxed, calm, and able to support myself and the people I work with.”
Kat
Independent Participant Review
Summary
Guildford Borough Council expanded its wellbeing resources to provide more choice and better opportunities for staff to find the mental health solution best suited to their individual needs.
In 2019, with the local government heading into phases of restructuring, the Council sought evidence-based wellbeing solutions, in addition to 24/7 counselling offered by an EAP. Particular focus was placed on tools that helped reduce and manage stress and increased resilience, so employees were better equipped to cope during the changes.
Assessing a range of solutions that covered topics such as diet, physical exercise, meditation and mindfulness, the practicalities of scheduling group sessions at times suitable for attendees became a clear challenge. Having satisfied the Council’s high IG and IS standards, the Be Mindful digital mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program was included in the options offered to staff, providing a highly flexible alternative to group sessions.
Council employees self-register to gain immediate access to the Be Mindful web-app via a bespoke webpage, accessed via the staff intranet. Participants are able to complete the clinically proven course at their own pace, irrespective of location or schedule, and do so with complete confidentiality.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many staff members found adjusting to working remotely a challenge. In particular, younger employees struggled with the impact of enforced isolation. The availability of the Be Mindful program provided an accessible and effective option, allowing staff to self-manage and improve their own mental health, and their managers to monitor staff wellbeing.
“Well structured, easy to follow and motivating.”
Tim
Independent Participant Review
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