Vision Australia aims to be a leader in caring for both its paid and volunteer work forces by introducing a new strategy to ensure their well-being and mental health is well managed.
The organisation, a leading provider of services to support people who are bind or have low vision, recently held a two-day R U OK 365 workshop to support the foundation for its Mental Health and Well-being Strategy.
The workshop was delivered by Deloitte, a specialist company in the field of organisational well-being, to an audience of 25 people from Vision Australia’s staff, volunteers and clients.
Debbie Deshayes, who recently stepped into the newly-created role of Vision Australia’s National Manager Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, says it was great to have input from Deloitte’s in the strategy.
Organisations with effective health and wellbeing programs are almost 80% more likely to record significantly higher performance than competitors who don’t, says Ms Deshayes
“Health and well-being impacts on a range of issues at work from staff performance and engagement to overall job satisfaction and retention," she says.
"The appointment of a national manager to oversee the strategy and the workshop demonstrates that Vision Australia is committed to caring proactively for its workforce and clients."
Ms Deshayes, who has worked for Vision Australia for more than 10 years and has a background in counselling, coaching, leadership and group facilitation, says the strategy will be a collaborative effort.
“I will be working with colleagues from across a number of our departments. Everyone in the organisation will be able to take ownership of Vision Australia’s health and well-being,” she says.
“The strategy will include a toolkit that our workforce can use to empower themselves to make it a priority: to look after themselves and their colleagues and so the organisation as a whole.”
The strategy came about after Vision Australia completed a safety and wellbeing audit and recognised an opportunity to do more in the wellbeing space.
Consulting with its workforce (which includes volunteers) and clients is a significant part of the strategy.
Vision Australia employs more than 800 staff around the country, and its 3400-strong volunteer workforce is considered equal in status to its paid workforce.
“I’m very excited to be leading the strategy in collaboration with my colleagues and increase our wellbeing,” Ms Deshayes says.
“Vision Australia has always cared for its workforce but the strategy will embed the mindset into its culture.”
Workshop participants included Cassandra Hatton, General Manager Human Resources St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, who says: “It’s great to see Vision Australia putting their people front and centre by making wellbeing a priority.”
For more on R U OK and other support services: https://www.ruok.org.au/findhelp