The Laser 2000 Pastoral Care Programme was launched at the end of 2021, with the main goal of making mental health and wellbeing not only a conversation topic, but also part of the company’s culture, reinforcing our ethos and core values.
This is a light touch approach project, created with the intention of helping others by providing support in different ways, covering not only emotional, but also social support.
Early this year we built a team of ambassadors with the intention of implementing the project, spreading the message, and raising awareness through the whole company.
The Pastoral Care Team provide guidance on how to access professional help, and how to make use of the company health insurance benefits, as well as acting as an empathetic non-judgemental ear. We are here to listen.
We are currently working on deploying different types of activities to engage with people by creating a safe space where open conversations can take place and mental health discussions are normalised. These are some of the activities we have undertaken so far:
- Outdoor walks
- TimeToTalk day (campaign run by Mind)
- Random act of kindness day
- Newsletters with information about activities, mental health, and wellbeing material
- Provision of user guides on how to get professional help and make use of company benefits
The first Laser 2000 Pastoral Care Winter Walk
The first Laser 2000 Winter Walk took place at the end of February 2022. This was a 5-mile circular walk, starting from St. Ives, Cambridgeshire and going towards Houghton Mill – a National Trust walk. We were very lucky, as the weather was beautiful and sunny. We also had very good company, since partners as well as Seb the dog came along.
Woburn Safari Walk
We were overwhelmed with the support and positive feedback from the first walk, so we went for our second walk in the first week of April! This time a 6-mile circular walk – we called it Woburn Safari Walk as it was around Woburn Safari Park in Bedford. Another sunny Saturday, this time not only one but three dogs joined the walk. We were also lucky to see two elephants, three bears, wolves, wallabies, squirrels, horses, and many deer.
We appreciate all the support and positive feedback we have received from our colleagues, and are looking forward to continuing work on this project, having open conversations about mental health, and being there whenever someone needs someone to talk to. This is just the beginning of what is about to come.
Thank you.
Laser 2000 Pastoral Care Team