The current trend of hybrid working, whilst allowing employees extra flexibility, means staff have less human contact, which in turn impacts their wellbeing.

The charity Dorset Mind has developed a creative solution and is launching team-building packages that offer businesses the chance to invest in and improve the connectivity of their workplace.

This also supports the charity financially to deliver essential one-to-one and group support and education for local people in Dorset.  

The charity encourages businesses to connect, learn and build their own Minds Together package. Within this, they will choose a mental health educational session that the charity's training team will deliver, combined with a fun activity from a range of trusted partners, including Rock Reef, R1SE Bournemouth, Resurface, Layla Gordon Nutrition and Eco in Mind - the charity's own Ecotherapy Project. 

Dorset Mind's training sessions include Mental Health Awareness; Managing Stress, Anxiety and Burnout; Boundaries and Resilience; and the popular Courageous Conversations, which encourages people to make conversations about mental health part of their everyday. 

Activities offered are based upon the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which have been proven to improve wellbeing: 

• Connect – Rock Reef's session will encourage team-bonding by pushing people out of their comfort zones to compete on their climbing walls, a vertical slide and 'Leap of Faith' jump! 
• Get Active – R1SE Bournemouth will put your team through their paces in a unique exercise class at their gym, located in the Hilton Bournemouth. 
• Take Notice – Resurface will emphasise employee wellbeing through adventurous team-building surf, yoga and cold-water sessions, set against the beautiful beach landscape at Bournemouth. 
• Learn – Layla Gordon Nutrition will teach employees about the importance of gut health and how to cook nutritional, tasty food with your colleagues for them to enjoy! 
• Give Back – Support the Eco in Mind project by working on Dorset Mind's allotments. It's guaranteed to improve your mood, reduce stress and enjoy the benefits of nature around you. 

Ty Temel, co-founder at R1SE Bournemouth, said: "We are proud to partner with Dorset Mind to offer our gym as a safe and uplifting environment as we know regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on mental health and wellbeing." 

Sam Glyn-Jones, Resurface Therapy co-founder, added: "We believe that mental wellbeing is the backbone of a healthy community, and we could not be happier to support employees in opening up the conversation through surfing, yoga, and cold-water immersion, activities we know can have a powerful impact on stress, anxiety, mood, and overall wellbeing."  

Sarah Hunter, RockReef marketing director, commented: "We are thrilled to be working with Dorset Mind on this great initiative to help solve loneliness. Climbing has been proven to help reduce stress and improve wellbeing.

"As hybrid working has led to people spending more time alone, this is the perfect opportunity for teams to socialise, have fun, and connect outside of the work environment. RockReef's climbing and adrenaline activities are perfect for teams wanting to challenge themselves!" 

Layla Gordon, registered nutritional practitioner, commented: "I am thrilled to be working with Dorset Mind on this exciting project that will no doubt help to elevate the overall wellbeing of the community by bringing many people together to share ideas, exercise and try healthy foods for optimal health.

"I have been a firm supporter of Dorset Mind for some time now, and the mix of other businesses that they have brought into this project will deliver an exciting blend of wellbeing support for the community."

Linda O'Sullivan, CEO of Dorset Mind, added:  "Mental health has had to become everyone's business - and employees have a duty to look after their employees' wellbeing, whether they work remotely or in their business setting.

"Evolving from lockdowns, the hybrid way of working comes at a cost to social inclusion – so what better way to boost your team's morale than enjoying a team-building day, whilst supporting your local mental health charity too!" 

For information about booking packages, prices and availability, contact Dorset Mind by emailing [email protected]

You can also visit Dorset Mind's website to find out more about the one-to-one and group support, education and training solutions the charity offers at dorsetmind.uk/help-and-support