Welcome to the Well-Being programme.
You have been nominated by your colleagues to be the facilitator in your organisation. This is a very important and enjoyable role and we look forward to working with you in the future.
New to the role?
If you are new to the role we expect you are wondering what's involved and how much work you have to take on.
However much we try to minimise the workload, there will inevitably be some additional work that will need to be undertaken but we promise to keep this to a minimum and give you as much support as possible. After all, we don't want facilitators to be off sick with stress-related illness.
One of the first things new facilitators do is attend an Induction Day. Please contact us for available dates.
We hope that you enjoy the experience of being the facilitator and look forward to meeting up with you on one of our events.
Downloads
Running INSET for Staff (15 KB, Acrobat PDF)
Ideas for Activities 1 (46 KB, Word Document)
Ideas for Activities 2 (26 KB, Word Document)
Ideas for Activities 3 (26 KB, Word Document)
Facilitators Induction
We take the role of the facilitators very seriously and recognise their importance to the success of the Programme. That is why we spend a day helping them to prepare for their role.
The aims of the initial induction day are to:
- explore what is meant by Well-Being
- gain a better understanding of the Well-Being Programme and how it works
- clarify the role of facilitator and consider challenges and sources of support
- know how the survey works, and how to manage its completion
- share ideas for use in the future.
For upcoming dates of induction days please contact lpds@lancashire.gov.uk
Further Support
Running or contributing to training sessions
This is not a requirement of being a facilitator but you may be asked to run a session at a staff meeting or a school INSET day. Some of you will feel comfortable with this, others not.
The following link offers a few tips on presenting.
Remember the most important thing is that you feel comfortable. If not then call the well-being office and we will try to help you.
The following activities are offered as ideas to get you started. They are relatively simple to do, will last approximately half an hour or could be extended for a longer session.
If you feel at all unsure please contact 01257 516100. We would be pleased to help and support.
Facilitator Development Days
These are held throughout the year and have a specific area of focus related to wellbeing. They also provide valuable opportunities for facilitators to network and share ideas and best practice.
School INSET Packages
Tailor made inset packages can be provided for schools on days of their choice. They can be in-house or at another venue.
Information Booklets
General Support
Facilitators have access to a wide range of resources accessed through a private section of Worklife Support's website (www.worklifesupport.com).
We are always happy to offer individual help to facilitators. For example we can help you put together presentations for staff meetings or other such events. Email lpds@lancashire.gov.uk
The Role of the Facilitator
Wondering what a facilitator does? Here are some ideas.
Assist communication between the Well-Being Programme team and the personnel of the organisation - for example, by relaying information 'in' and 'out' effectively. In particular, ensuring that the basic aims of the Programme are understood
Oversee the completion of Organisational Self-Review Measure surveys, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained, and that as many people as possible make returns
Take part in the feedback discussions about the data and issues from the survey, helping to clarify what the 'next steps' should be
Use the resources and available expertise from the Project so that the relevant 'next steps' for the organisation are actively supported in a planned way - for example, through effective briefings, or setting-up some staff training.
Sign post staff to Well-Being courses and events
Promote Well-Being activities within the organisation, remaining positive and enthusiastic about staff well-being for example, ensuring that priorities for progress in Well-Being are discussed at suitable meetings and by encouraging others to get involved
Set up a Well-Being notice-board.
Set up a Well-Being group to encourage others to get more involved. A social committee might be formed as part of this group
Place an 'ideas' box in a suitable location in your organisation. This may help to create an atmosphere in which people can 'let off steam' without becoming too negative; showing that people's opinions are valued
Assist good communications and teamwork in the organisation by using emotional intelligence, building up the trust of colleagues, and without infringing the proper roles of others
Contribute towards policy revisions or the development of procedures which foster healthy working practices and a 'well-being' culture in the organisation. Getting agreement on what is meant by a healthy workplace.
Generally ensuring that staff are aware of the range of help that is in fact available to them - for example, posting the phone numbers or web sites of counselling services and other help lines
Help colleagues to find the most appropriate sources of help when they need it and under their own initiative. Maintaining confidentiality at all times.
Support the Well-Being Facilitators' network (locally and nationally), and make use of the national Worklife Support website.
Keep an eye on the organisation's progress, communicating the important outcomes, particularly 'what works' amongst staff.
Share ideas and activities for example by sending 'what works well' photos, video clips etc for the Lancashire Well-Being web site (please ensure permissions have been given).