Wellbeing
Thrive @ Ofcom
As an organisation, we’re only as good as the people who work here. This is why wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at Ofcom.
We want our colleagues to feel valued for who they are. This means recognising that we all have different needs when it comes to our own wellbeing, and making sure colleagues know where to get help and support if they need it.
Our wellbeing programme, Thrive@Ofcom, offers a range of different ways for colleagues to get support.
In recognition for our Thrive@Ofcom programme, we were delighted to be shortlisted for the Best Mental Health Initiative Award at the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards in 2021, and for the Best Wellbeing in the Workplace Strategy (public sector) for 2022.
This recognises our efforts to offer everyone at Ofcom a strong programme of support to manage their own wellbeing in a way that works for them.
The range of support below is confidential, easy to access and freely available.
I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done to support colleagues’ wellbeingover the past few turbulent years. This is recognition of our ongoing commitment to our colleagues.
Kerri-Ann O’Neill – Director of People & Transformation
The range of support below is confidential, easy to access and freely available.
Private healthcare
At Ofcom, we want everyone to have access to fair and effective care and support. All Ofcom colleagues have private medical cover as standard.
AXA stronger minds (through Private Medical)
This is available to colleagues who need support with their mental health, with no GP referral required. Simply call to arrange an assessment, and an AXA counsellor or psychologist will listen and suggest a treatment plan that’s clinically appropriate.
Mental Health First Aiders
We have a diverse group of mental health first aiders across all locations at Ofcom. They are dedicated to listening and supporting anyone who would like to talk to someone.
The Employee Assistance Programme
Our employee assistance programme (EAP) provides colleagues with a fully confidential help, information and advice service, accessible via the telephone or face to face.
This service is provided by Aviva and is completely free.It offers access to immediate information, answers, and advice on a wide range of workplace and personal issues
Doctor at hand
Getting a GP appointment can be difficult. At Ofcom, as part of our private medical scheme, colleagues have access to a virtual GP service that makes it easy to have a secure online video or phone GP consultation, seven days a week, 365 days a year and from anywhere in the world
Discounted gym memberships
Colleagues at Ofcom have access to a number of discounted memberships, at gyms across the country. These include gyms such as Nuffield, Pure Gym and David Lloyd, as well as local gyms and online classes.
Headspace app
All colleagues get free access to Headspace, a mindfulness appoffering access to hundreds of guided meditations on everything from anxiety, productivity, sleep, sport and physical health, relationships, and even content for children.
Thrive app
All colleagues have free access to the NHS-endorsed Thrive mental wellbeing app, which provides tools to manage your mental wellbeing. Colleagues can follow a bite-sized
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme, as well as accessing relaxation and calm breathing programmes.
Volunteering leave
There are many benefits to volunteering, not only for the communities we serve, but also for our own wellbeing. Colleagues at Ofcom are entitled to five days’ volunteering leave each year.