businessinfomag.uk 18 magazine ICS Accounting’s Top 25 ranking in the Financial Times’ inaugural UK’s Best Employers report is testament to Lancaster-based accountancy firm’s commitment to staff wellbeing. This encompasses everything from Employee and Wellbeing Portals and a Social Values programme, where inter-office teams work together on local volunteering and fund-raising projects, to more imaginative initiatives like its year-long series of Gratitude Gallery workshops led by Ginny Koppenhol, a professional photographer and former Occupational Therapist in NHS mental health services. Weaving together creativity, mindfulness and team-building, this programme encourages staff to notice the positives in their day‑to‑day lives, such as a favourite view, relaxing cup of coffee or family dog-walk, and, in a twist on the idea of ‘gratitude journaling’, capture such moments in smartphone snaps for sharing with colleagues in a ‘Gratitude Gallery’. ICS Accounting HR Manager Helen Callaghan says that employees quickly get over any reservations they might have about taking, sharing and discussing gratitude snapshots with colleagues. “Understandably, some were unsure at first. I, too, was worried my pictures wouldn’t be good enough. But Ginny soon put everyone at ease. This isn’t about judgement, competition or the perfect photo, but simply capturing a moment. Sessions quickly become full of laughter, stories and windows into one another’s lives,” she said. Helen adds that while some see the workshops as a chance to slow down and reset during the busy working day and others as a chance to learn new photography skills, everyone appreciates the opportunity to see colleagues and be seen by colleagues in a different light – not just as an ‘accountant’ or ‘payroll manager’, but as an individual with unique stories, family histories and passions. This, she says, has had a noticeable effect on company culture. “The atmosphere is so much more congenial and supportive; people are sharing more of themselves, and the sense of connection across teams is stronger. Colleagues tell me they now take an extra moment on walks to look up at trees, the sky, hug their family, and feel much happier for it. This investment in our Gratitude Gallery shows how our directors value their staff: it’s already made such a positive difference beyond anything we envisioned at the start. I recommend it to everyone.” www.icsuk.com www.gkoppenholphotography.com Smartphones are blamed for many of today’s ills, but with a little imagination they can be a force for good as a Lancaster-based accounting firm has discovered with the creation of its mood-enhancing ‘Gratitude Gallery’ Snap happy WELLBEING Test yourself Free self-screening tools help identify gradual sight and hearing loss at work Visualise Training and Consultancy, which specialises in workplace inclusion for employees with sensory loss, is helping HR professionals promote health, inclusion and productivity with the launch of two self-screening tools for people who may be experiencing vision or hearing difficulties. Available at no cost from the company’s website, the tools – one for vision and one for hearing – give users a quick, confidential way to assess whether changes in their vision or hearing may be affecting them at work. For HR departments, they demonstrate a company’s commitment to employee wellbeing and enable potential issues to be identified earlier, reducing the risk of formal complaints or grievances. The RNIB estimates that over 2 million people in the UK live with sight loss and around 250 people every day begin to lose their sight, while Action on Hearing Loss reports that 12 million people in the UK have hearing loss, including 40% of over-50s and 70% of over-70s, many of whom are still active in the workforce. Daniel Morgan-Williams, Founding Director of Visualise Training and Consultancy, warns that with both conditions early signs may be dismissed as normal ageing or overlooked by employees reluctant to raise concerns about loss of productivity. He said: “Many people put up with gradual changes in their sight or hearing without realising the impact at work. Others worry that raising it with their manager might harm their career. Our self-screening tools give employees a private, stigma-free way to reflect on their needs – and give HR professionals a resource to promote as part of their wellbeing strategy.” He adds that if identified early, both conditions can be addressed with simple workplace adjustments or assistive technology. visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com Ginny Koppenhol
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDUxNDM=