Firm launches wellbeing champions to guide employees

A leading East Anglian law firm has announced it has put in place designated wellbeing champions to guide employees to get the best out of themselves at work and home.

Ellisons Solicitors, which has offices throughout Suffolk and Essex, has introduced a range of initiatives to support its 270+ colleagues, from nutrition and sleep workshops to menopause and men’s health.

The scheme is just the latest in a raft of HR changes which the firm has brought in over the three years, including its popular flexible working policy.

Lizzy Firmin, COO at Ellisons Solicitors, said colleagues’ welfare was at the heart of the firm.

She said: “Our approach to wellbeing is about enabling our colleagues to have the confidence and know-how to take responsibility for their own wellbeing. Wellbeing isn’t a one size fits all matter. At Ellisons we aim to weave in wellbeing as a fundamental and natural part of everyone’s busy working lives. By providing this support, people are able to flourish in their roles.”

As of this month, there are just under 20 wellbeing champions at Ellisons Solicitors across various departments and offices. The firm said their responsibilities ranged from promoting its wellbeing policies to raising awareness about the various ways colleagues can access support.

Programmes to help colleagues at Ellisons Solicitors include mental health first aiders, a benefits portal incorporating a number of wellbeing resources, health promotion training and management development training. The firm also has menopause training designed specifically to educate men about women’s health, and a domestic abuse policy which is designed to raise awareness and signpost externa support available.

Ms Firmin said: “Our approach to Wellbeing at Ellisons is designed to underpin the Firm’s core value of putting our clients and colleagues at the heart of everything we do.  If we provide our colleagues with as much on-going support, signposting and resources as we can, this will ultimately benefit our clients.”