How to Promote Mental Health at Work – Introduction
SIFA Fireside in Birmingham is a remarkable charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals who are experiencing homelessness and social exclusion. The organisation provides essential services to help people regain independence and improve their lives. In addition to its core services, SIFA Fireside understands the importance of how to promote mental health at work, especially given the often emotionally demanding nature of their staff’s roles. In environments that can often be stressful, it is essential to prioritise mental health to ensure that employees are supported.
Since November 2023, I have been working with SIFA Fireside Charity to provide a series of wellbeing sessions, free of charge aimed at enhancing mental health and supporting staff resilience. These sessions—ranging from Chair Yoga to Mindfulness, Creative Art, and Relaxation—were designed to help staff manage stress.
SIFA Fireside’s Mission to Combat Homelessness in Birmingham
SIFA Fireside is a Birmingham-based charity dedicated to supporting adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Founded in the 1980s by Sister Sabina, the organisation has evolved through the merger of The Fireside Charity and SIFA (Supporting Independence From Alcohol), aiming to provide comprehensive support to individuals facing homelessness.
Operating from their Support Centre in Digbeth, SIFA Fireside offers a range of services designed to meet both immediate and long-term needs. These include emergency support for individual sleeping rough, housing transition services, substance misuse support, and assistance for individuals with no recourse to public funds. The charity also focuses on recovery and prevention, providing life skills workshops, budgeting sessions, and creative activities to help clients rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
SIFA Fireside’s mission is to challenge and address the systemic causes and effects of homelessness through collaboration with partners, ensuring that every adult in Birmingham can live a future without homelessness. Their core values—Inclusivity, Dynamism, Courage, and Support—guide their approach, emphasising respect for diversity, adaptability to meet individual needs, and providing holistic support to encourage personal growth.
Through a combination of immediate assistance and long-term support services, SIFA Fireside plays a crucial role in helping individuals navigate the complexities of homelessness and work towards a stable, fulfilling future.
How to Promote Mental Health at Work – Stress Management and Resilience
Mental health at work is more important than ever, especially in environments where employees are exposed to high levels of stress, emotional demand, and even physical exhaustion. At SIFA Fireside, wellbeing sessions are not just an added bonus—they’re essential for stress management and building resilience within the team. Small, regular interventions—whether they are mindfulness practices, movement breaks, or creative outlets—can significantly reduce stress and promote better mental health.
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A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
In the wellbeing sessions I’ve provided at SIFA Fireside, I’ve taken a holistic approach to mental health, focusing on the full spectrum of staff wellbeing. This approach integrates physical health practices, emotional balance, and creative expression. By offering a variety of activities that target different aspects of wellbeing, I wanted to ensure staff have tools they can use both during and outside of work to manage stress and maintain their mental health. These sessions aim to build resilience, and encourage self-care practices that last beyond the workplace.
Here are examples of some of the sessions:
Chair Yoga: A Gentle Approach to Physical Wellness
CY has been one of the most accessible sessions I’ve provided, especially for staff who spend long hours sitting at desks or are dealing with physical limitations. Chair yoga is a modified form of traditional yoga that can be practiced while seated or standing beside a chair. This session offers a gentle way to relieve tension, improve posture, and increase flexibility, all while reducing the physical strain that comes from prolonged sitting. The breathing techniques incorporated into the practice also help to calm the nervous system, relieving stress and boosting overall energy. It’s a great way to reset during a busy day and bring some much-needed relief to the body.
Macrame: A Creative Outlet for Stress Relief
Macrame, a form of textile art that involves knotting cords to create decorative items, provided a fun, hands-on creative outlet for staff. This activity allowed them to step away from the pressures of their work and focus on something entirely different. The repetitive, meditative nature of macrame can help reduce anxiety and stress. Many of the staff commented, “I never knew I could do this,” after trying macrame, expressing a strong sense of accomplishment as they created something beautiful with their own hands, which boosted their confidence.
To me, the greatest compliment I can receive after a session is when someone says, “I never knew I could do this.” It’s a powerful reminder of how much potential each person has when given the right tools, encouragement, and support to explore new possibilities. It reflects the moment when someone steps outside of their comfort zone and realises their own abilities, which is incredibly rewarding to witness. Whether it’s learning a new skill, overcoming a challenge, or simply trying something for the first time, those words are a sign that growth and confidence have been sparked. It’s a beautiful reminder that with the right environment, everyone has the potential to achieve more than they ever imagined.
Gosia, Co-Founder of Wellbeing in Your Office
Mindfulness and Body Scan: Calm and Focus
Mindfulness and body scanning techniques have been incredibly effective for staff members dealing with high-stress situations. The practice of mindfulness encourages us to stay present in the moment, while a body scan allows us to check in with our bodies, release any tension, and regain focus. Staff report feeling more grounded, less anxious, and more in control of their reactions to stressful situations.
Creative Art with Acrylic Inks: Expression and Relaxation
Art provides a wonderful avenue for creative self-expression and relaxation. During our sessions with acrylic inks, staff were encouraged to explore their creative sides without the pressure to “get it right.” The free-form nature of this activity helped to reduce stress and shift focus from work-related challenges. Many employees found the process of creating art to be deeply freeing, as it allowed them to relax and step away from work.
Does Meditation Help with Anxiety?
How to Promote Mental Health at Work – Walking Meditation
Walking meditation combined the benefits of gentle physical movement with mindfulness practice, and the team appreciated the opportunity to clear their minds and refocus. Walking through the office space while being mindful of their breath and surroundings provided a calming, restorative break from the workday. This practice helped staff release stress, improve their mood, and stay grounded in the present moment.
Journaling for Wellbeing: Reflecting and Releasing
Journaling for wellbeing has been an excellent tool for staff to reflect on their thoughts. Writing in a journal provides a private space for self-expression and emotional release, helping employees work through difficult situations and clarify their feelings. Many staff members found that journaling helped them focus on gratitude, which lifted their mood and gave them a positive outlook. By encouraging regular journaling, we provided employees with an ongoing tool to track their emotional wellbeing and gain insights into their mental health.
Breathwork for Relaxation: Calming the Mind and Body
Breathwork, particularly a gentle technique focusing on lengthening the exhale, can be a highly effective tool in managing stress. By extending the exhale, this method can activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting the body’s natural relaxation response. Staff members have reported feeling calmer, with reduced anxiety and a boost in energy after practicing this technique.
How to Promote Mental Health at Work – Conclusion
Since starting the wellbeing sessions at SIFA Fireside in November 2023, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Staff have expressed how these sessions have helped them feel more relaxed and grounded. I strongly recommend taking a holistic approach to workplace wellbeing and mental health by thinking creatively and exploring new, unconventional methods and offering sessions that are both simple and short. Combining creative activities, movement-based sessions, and relaxation practices can have a big impact on staff wellbeing. Creative sessions like art encourage self-expression and provide a refreshing break, while movement-based activities like yoga or walking meditation can help release tension and increase energy. Relaxation techniques such as breathwork or mindfulness allow staff to reset and manage stress. These sessions don’t need to be long or complicated to be effective, but when combined, they create a well-rounded approach that supports both mental clarity and physical health.
Volunteer with SIFA Fireside
SIFA Fireside is always looking for passionate volunteers to join their mission in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and social exclusion. Volunteers play an essential role in providing vital services, from helping with day-to-day activities to offering a compassionate ear for those in need. By volunteering with SIFA Fireside, you can make a direct impact on the lives of vulnerable people, offering not only practical support but also emotional encouragement. Every contribution makes a difference in helping individuals rebuild their lives and regain their independence. Volunteering at SIFA Fireside is a rewarding opportunity to give back to the community and be part of a dedicated team working toward a future without homelessness. Find out more about volunteering opportunities at SIFA HERE.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general knowledge and educational purposes only. It should not be construed as professional health, legal, or business advice. Readers should always consult with appropriate health professionals, human resource experts, or legal advisors for specific concerns related to physical, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of publication, Wellbeing In Your Office cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes, updates, or revisions of the aforementioned content.
