This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week gave us an opportunity at Clearbell to highlight the importance of wellbeing and looking after ourselves. Throughout April and May, we introduced a raft of initiatives to help connect our teams and emphasise positive mental as well as physical health.

Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, we embarked on our very own Kaido Challenge. Having passed a year since the outbreak of the pandemic, and more than 12 months of working from home, we wanted to help get our team moving, talking and motivated. This was also a good way to help some of our newest team members get to know others from across the business, whom they may not work closely with on a day-to-day basis.

The Kaido Challenge is forty days of team-based activities. We had four teams that competed with each other in daily challenges, led by some of our younger colleagues as Team Captains. Each day, the Kaido app would set a new task, while providing advice on wellbeing including mindfulness, sleep, nutrition and physical activity. Challenge highlights included walking a certain number of steps per day, completing a reflection journal, and even trying out origami! Teams kept track of their progress on a daily leader board, with weekly prizes and an overall winner. It’s safe to say that things got a little competitive at times!

Jonathan Gough, who joined Clearbell in January, said:

“Everyone at Clearbell has been really welcoming since I’ve arrived. But it has been more challenging to learn and get to know the team over a screen. As a team leader during the Kaido challenge, I really enjoyed encouraging other team members to perform their challenges and finding out about everyone’s interests and talents along the way.”

Similarly, new-joiner Charlie Thompson noted:

“I found the Kaido challenge useful to help me get away from my desk and get some fresh air, while getting to know other members of my team.”

During Mental Health Awareness Week itself, we wanted to inspire our teams to embrace their creativity. In line with this year’s theme of nature, we encouraged everyone to take a walk outside each day. Throughout the week, we ran a photography competition for the best image captured during these walks, with the winner receiving a £50 giftcard for Patch, the plant company. We also created a Clearbell positivity playlist on Spotify (check that out here!), with uplifting contributions from everyone.

While pandemic restrictions may be easing and life is slowly beginning to return to normal, looking after our mental health needs to remain a priority. At Clearbell, we recognise the importance of supporting our team through this period and we look forward to getting back into the office when the time is right.

Tina Paul, HR Director at Clearbell Capital