‘Wellbeing Ambassadors: How to help your people be more resilient, innovative, successful and engaged’
It's hard to believe that a full year has passed since "Wellbeing Ambassadors" was published. What began as a mission to bring evidence-based wellbeing practices into workplaces has blossomed into something exciting, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this journey with you.
Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters Now More Than Ever
When I first began writing this book, organisations were increasingly recognising the importance of wellbeing, but many were struggling to move beyond surface-level initiatives. The landscape of work was changing dramatically, and the traditional approaches simply weren't addressing the real challenges that both leaders and team members were facing.
What became abundantly clear was that organisations needed more than just awareness campaigns or occasional wellness days. They needed a comprehensive framework built on solid evidence that could create lasting cultural change. This realisation became the foundation for "Wellbeing Ambassadors" and the methodology that underpins it.
Beyond Mental Health First Aid
One of the most common pieces of feedback I've received over the past year is how the book helps readers understand the critical distinction between mental health support and comprehensive wellbeing. While mental health first aid remains vitally important, creating truly thriving workplaces requires a more holistic approach.
Through the REST & RISE™ model outlined in the book, organisations have been able to focus on building resilience, engagement, success and innovation across their teams. Rather than waiting for problems to emerge, this proactive approach helps create environments where people can genuinely flourish.
What's been particularly rewarding is seeing how the concepts from positive psychology, which can sometimes feel abstract or academic, have been translated into practical, everyday actions that transform workplace cultures.
From Theory to Practice: The Wellbeing Ambassador Programme
While the book provides a comprehensive framework, many organisations have benefited from the structured support of our Wellbeing Ambassador Programme to bring these concepts to life within their specific context.
The programme designed for leaders and HR consists of three focused modules:
Personal Wellbeing: Leaders first learn how to enhance their own physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing, creating a solid foundation from which to support others.
Strengths-Based Leading: Participants identify and harness both their own strengths and those of team members to increase engagement and performance.
Leading Wellbeing Initiatives: Armed with practical tools and frameworks, leaders learn how to support their teams in developing healthy habits that help them thrive.
What sets this programme apart is its grounding in the REST & RISE™ methodology, which transforms theoretical wellbeing concepts into actionable leadership tools. By limiting groups to ten participants, we create an environment where leaders can share challenges, learn from each other's experiences and develop practical solutions together.
Looking Forward: The Next Chapter
Looking ahead, I'm more convinced than ever of the critical importance of evidence-based wellbeing approaches in creating workplaces where people can truly thrive. The challenges facing organisations continue to evolve, but the fundamental principles of positive psychology provide a robust foundation for navigating whatever comes next.
If you haven't yet explored the concepts in "Wellbeing Ambassadors" or would like to learn more about how the Wellbeing Ambassador Programme could benefit your organisation, I'd love to continue the conversation. Whether you're just beginning your wellbeing journey or looking to build on existing initiatives, the frameworks, tools and approaches can be tailored to your specific context and challenges.
Here's to another year of creating workplaces where wellbeing and performance go hand in hand, where leaders have the confidence and capability to support their teams, and where positive psychology principles create lasting cultural change.