Lancashire leaders come together to discuss impact of COVID Job Losses on Health

Wellbeing Lancashire CIC bring together Lancashire leaders to discuss the impact COVID has had on unemployment and health and wellbeing; in their first Think Tank event.

Job loss can have a significant effect on health and wellbeing at any time; but coupled with the high number of job losses and businesses ceasing to trade, COVID is pushing us ever closer towards a mental health crisis.

The aim of the event was to look at how the county of Lancashire is responding to the pandemic; what support is already in place, where are the gaps and how do we use our collective resources to accelerate the economic bounce back.

It was quickly identified that COVID has accelerated the realisation that health and wellbeing are directly linked with economic performance. Wellbeing is becoming more central to economic stability and our ability to recover from the pandemic. There has never been a better time to address this.

Wellbeing Lancashire Director, and Founder of YOLO Wellbeing, Cheryle Britton comments, “When we were organising the Think Tank event, it became increasingly apparent that there is already a lot of support in place. The challenge we have is ensuring that the people who need support services are aware of what is available and knows how to access it. We were keen to understand how, by working together, Wellbeing Lancashire can help to facilitate that.”

As Founder and Managing Director of GB Shared and the Lancashare business platform; Lisa Edge’s business is built on sharing and supporting one another locally. “We’ve had communication with our members and a lot of businesses are really struggling. I have been speaking to Accountants who are repeatedly being asked by their clients how they fold their businesses. This is resulting in far too many people being at a tipping point with their mental health. But on the flip side we also have many wellbeing providers who are members at Lancashare and involved in Wellbeing Lancashire who have some really great support in place.

The data we capture through the Lancashare and other business platforms can help to inform how we communicate, and plan what support is needed and where.”

There are three key themes that emerged from the discussion that must be explored further to be able to add value to the support available to the people who need it.

DATA – We need to share data more widely to enable invested organisations and businesses to effectively plan for the future, and understand who needs to engage with the data?

COMMUNICATION – How do we engage, create the right tone of voice and push positive messages to the people who need it?

CONFIDENCE & COURAGE – We must build confidence and courage to enable the people of Lancashire to build resilience.

Despite some of the negative stories and data that was discussed in the meeting there were positive discussions and themes that emerged. There is a strong appetite and enthusiasm to work together across areas, and sectors in the county and by exploring some of the actions we can take from the three themes; we can really help to make a difference.

Read the full report here

https://wellbeinglancashire.org.uk/2021/01/26/wellbeing-lancashire-think-tank-report/

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For more information please contact: cbritton@wellbeinglancashire.org.uk

www.wellbeinglancashire.org.uk