How Fera is strengthening workplace wellbeing
At Fera Science Ltd (Fera), the wellbeing of our colleagues has long been a central priority. We recognisethat mental health needs to be a visible and embedded in our everyday organisational activities.
Our aim was to develop a comprehensive framework that offered a range of accessible support options, empowered managers to lead confidently and compassionately, and promote an open culture around mental health... Once we had established this strong foundation, we sought a way to publicly reinforce our commitment and hold ourselves to a recognised set of standards.
To achieve this, we implemented a series of proactive and sustainable wellbeing measures across the organisation:
- We trained Mental Health First Aiders throughout the business, ensuring colleagues have approachable, knowledgeable support available while at work
- We introduced mental health awareness training for managers, helping leaders understand early indicators of stress, listen effectively, and create safe environments within their teams.
- · We emphasised the existing support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- We established a programme of regular wellbeing webinars, providing accessible sessions on resilience, stress management, healthy working habits, work-life balance, and more
- As part of our wider wellbeing offer, office-based and remote colleagues also have access to a range of physical health and relaxation resources
- We promoted ongoing communication and openness around mental health, aiming to normalise conversations and reduce stigma.
Once these measures were firmly in place, Fera took the important next step of formally signing the Mental Health at Work Commitment with Mind. This decision came after building our existing support framework, allowing us to align what we were already doing with a nationally recognised set of standards. Signing the Commitment demonstrates our accountability, our ambition to continually improve, and our belief in leading by example.
By investing in and embedding these measures before signing the Commitment, the impact has been both authentic and far-reaching. Colleagues report increased awareness of available support, with positive feedback from staff accessing the help and support available. Managers are better prepared to support their teams, and the visibility and availability of Mental Health First Aiders has created a more open culture.
Externally, signing the Mental Health at Work Commitment has reinforced our position as an organisation committed to high standards of wellbeing. Internally, it has provided a framework that aligns with the practices we already have in place, while guiding us toward continuous improvement in the years ahead.
Our commitment to mental health is ongoing, and we remain dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels supported, respected, and empowered.
