Meet the experts behind Bristol24/7’s burnout and mental wellbeing event

From supporting mothers back into work to tackling mental health discrimination, expert panellists will explore how to improve wellbeing in the workplace.

The first event in the Bristol24/7 Presents 2021 series takes place on Thursday, May 13 from 2pm with the aim of promoting positive action and helping businesses lead the way in fostering a healthy, productive workforce.

Held during Mental Health Awareness Week, the free virtual event will include a panel discussion, featuring Jess Borthwick of Changes Bristol, Bianca Jones of EDP Training, Camilla Rigby, the co-founder of Women’s Work Lab and Daisy Roach the head of HR for Better Food.

The discussion will be hosted by Bristol24/7’s Safiya Bashir and members of the audience are invited to ask questions during the event via the chat function in the live stream or via Twitter (@bristol247).

A short video will be shown ahead of the panel discussion, featuring the voices of people from different organisations across the city, who have given their views on some of the challenges faced and practical ways in which companies can act to tackle burnout and foster wellbeing among staff.

Speaking ahead of the event, Bianca says: “I’ve designed and delivered mental health and wellbeing training for the last four years to companies and individuals and there is a common theme of not taking care of one’s self, not setting boundaries or replenishing our batteries.

“There is a huge reluctance around this as some people say this feels lazy, selfish or self-indulgent. I advocate that it’s neither and it’s actually vital for our survival in this current busy world. It’s almost like we need to do a software update on our brains, download some resilience and upload some self care.”

Meet the panellists

Jess Borthwick from Changes Bristol delivers training on mental health and wellbeing – photo courtesy of Jess Borthwick

Jess Borthwick works for mental health charity Changes Bristol, which provides support to those in mental distress in the city. Jess works to ensure the smooth running of the groups, supporting staff and volunteers and designing and delivering training.

She is keen to focus on digital exclusion and the lack of informal support for mental health during lockdown, as well as the increased use of services provided by changes during lockdown.

Bianca Jones has worked with companies such as Airbus, Aardman Animations and We the Curious – photo courtesy of Bianca Jones

Bianca Jones is a qualified Mental Health First Aid England instructor at EDP Training and travels across the UK delivering various wellbeing and mental health training to businesses to improve mental health throughout organisations.

She is passionate about adult learning and utilising accelerated learning techniques to aid training and has worked with companies such as Airbus, Aardman Animations and We the Curious.

Bianca’s own lived experience of depression and anxiety helps her to deliver authentic training, which she is passionate about and it also highlights the importance of prevention, self-help and empowering people to take control of their own wellbeing.

Camilla Rigby believes all mothers should be supported to achieve their potential – photo courtesy of Camilla Rigby

Camilla Rigby is the co-founder of Women’s Work Lab, an organisation that supports unemployed mums aged 25 and over to become work-ready.

She has a passionate belief that all mothers should be supported to achieve their potential and to do this, the organisation supports unemployed mums back into the workplace through training to build confidence, ambition and employability skills.

Camilla is keen to focus on issues that include parents (particularly women) with children with special education needs, the need for flexibility, the importance of the office as safe space (for people living with domestic abuse) and those organisations that are keeping offices open during pandemic.

Daisy Roach is a champion for the need for wellbeing support – photo courtesy of Daisy Roach

Daisy Roach is the head of HR for Better Food, a Bristol-based chain of organic food stores and cafés.

She has a passion for wellbeing and mental health after working for more than ten years in HR. Daisy focused her studies at university on mental health discrimination in the workplace and is a champion for the need for wellbeing support.

Thanks to contributors:
Matt Vamplew, co-founder and CEO of Paranimo.
Ben Knocks, director of student services and learner journey at Weston College.
Michael Pearson, deputy head of student counselling at the University of Bristol.
Ali Foster-Grose, director of events for Immediate Media.
Liam McKinnon, director of engagement at Off The Record.
Alex Stone, deputy executive director for the Forest of Avon Trust.
Dr Miles Thompson, senior lecturer in psychology at UWE Bristol.

Sign up for this free event via www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-bristols-response-to-burnout-could-make-us-leaders-in-wellbeing-tickets-150547829611

Read more: How Bristol’s response to burnout could make us leaders in wellbeing