Together for better health

In support of World Mental Health Day 2022 we spoke with Ryan Williamson, Health and Safety Manager at Bouygues Energies & Services, who is creating awareness and a support bubble for his fellow peers who may be suffering from health or mental health issues. 

“I have known many friends over the years who are sadly no longer with us through difficulties arising from poor mental health, and it just resonates deeply with me. I think that any amount of increased awareness and support is extremely beneficial,” 

said Ryan Williamson, Health and Safety Manager, Bouygues Energies & Services, as he explains where his passion resonates to help those with health issues.

As a company, Bouygues Energies & Services have a Health and Wellbeing charter with an aim to improve physical, mental wellbeing and create a positive environment for mental and emotional health through supportive actions. They also invest in community relation and care for the environment. 
Therefore, they have invested  time and effort to develop programmes, partnership and offers to support and proactively improve he wellbeing of their employees  and the environment. 

The company commitment to health and wellbeing is outlined by divers examples of programmes where they were finalist for the REBA Awards in 2020, planted trees in Malawi to support a healthier environment, encouraged staff to look after their physical wellbeing with the Virgin Pulse Challenge and invested in their employees education with numerous development programmes. On top of all these, they strongly encourage and support their staff to help one and other.

“The company allows the time and resources to formulate and deliver initiatives and presentations,” said Ryan

He continues to say:

“I held an awareness afternoon focussing on mental health in construction – predominantly aimed at managers recently. It was a great success and had very good feedback.”

Ryan has taken it upon himself to do help, but as a company they also have a wellbeing programme, fostering culture of care by training employees as mental health first aiders and other support services accessible by 100% of employees. Services there to encourage people to talk, provide financial stability and overall look after their wellbeing that are constantly being reviewed. 

“We are continually looking at ways to improve the wellbeing of our fellow employees and raising awareness of the benefits available and charitable opportunities which is conducive to maintaining a positive mood/outlook at work,” explains Ryan

Ryan is a member of the WellByes committee, a forum where individuals from Bouygues Energies & Services come together to help create a strategy, events and incentives to help look after the wellbeing of their fellow employees.

James Timon continued to say: “The business and employee led forum started its wellbeing journey in 2017 and continues to develop its approach to ensure we have a robust wellbeing strategy which supports our employees as our greatest asset. Having a bespoke events calendar incorporating reoccurring events for various durations: a day, a week or a month mean employees get the chance to take part in initiatives they are passionate about.  We have also introduced WellBYES Chamipons to help communicate the strategy and events, encouraging wider participation across our offices and sites. The journey is continual, but we are still striving to improve and innovate.  

If you are struggling in silence there are programmes out there and individuals like Ryan who said: 

“Communicate it! In other words, tell someone. Don't let things consume you and let it get worse than it needs to be. No one will judge you like you think they will. Everyone has their own battles and you are not alone.”