RMBI Care Co. and the MCF achieve award for Learning at Work Week activities

Above: Jenny Goodchild, Assistant Director for HR Services; Zoe Nash, HR Officer and Wellbeing Champion; and Claire Dodd, Assistant Director for Learning and Development hosting the “Mindful Fest” for RMBI Care Co. and MCF staff members in May 2024.

RMBI Care Co. and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) have become the Small to Medium Enterprise winner in the category of Supporting Business and Organisational Goals at the Learning at Work Week Impact Awards 2024.

The charities were recognised for their commitment to lifelong learning, with a focus this year on employee wellbeing, reducing mental health-related absences and creating an inclusive atmosphere for remote workers. By facilitating targeted and accessible activities, both charities aimed to promote continuous learning and cultivate a culture of openness around mental health.

RMBI Care Co. and the MCF’s primary goal during Learning at Work Week was recognising a pressing need to raise awareness of the mental health support available to all employees, both at Head Office and remotely. They aimed to ensure employees knew that help was available not only during crises, but at all times.

To support this, both charities established three key objectives: to increase engagement with health benefits, encouraging staff to access available mental health support; to ensure remote workers had equal opportunities to participate, alleviating isolation and demonstrating inclusivity; and to foster open conversations about mental health to reduce stigma and sickness absence.

The empowering impact of Learning at Work Week
The two charities used a planned promotional strategy for Learning at Work Week, sharing information via newsletters, posters and management support. Themed days and a clear schedule helped staff plan, while competitions boosted engagement. Success was tracked through event attendance and activity engagement, with participation higher than in previous years.

Claire Dodd, Assistant Director for Learning and Development at RMBI Care Co., said:

Investing in our staff is a key priority for us at RMBI Care Co. We do this by providing engaging activities for staff and by listening to their feedback. We’re thrilled to be recognised for our continuous efforts, which have made our Learning at Work Week to be of award winning status.

Learning at Work Week positively impacted employees by increasing their confidence in talking about mental health and deepening their understanding of health benefits, contributing to improved wellbeing. Remote workers were included to help reduce feelings of isolation, strengthen social connections, and ensure awareness of available training resources. For RMBI Care Co. and the MCF, the benefits included more open conversations around mental health and a greater uptake of health benefits, indicating that employees were more actively managing their health.

Jenny Goodchild Assistant Director, HR Services RMBI Care Co and the MCF, said:

Supporting our staff is at the heart of both charities’ values, and Learning at Work Week gave us the opportunity to learn more about their mental health and how we can make a difference.

Recognition for RMBI Care Co and the MCF’s learning and development has been seen from the National Care Awards in 2015; Learning at Work Week Awards in 2018, 2021, 2022 and again this year, and as finalists in the HR Excellence Awards 2019 for the Best Learning and Development Strategy.

[Summary: RMBI Care Co. and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) won the 2024 Learning at Work Week Impact Award for fostering lifelong learning focused on mental health, inclusivity for remote workers, and reducing absences. Through targeted activities, they promoted open discussions and increased staff engagement with health resources, resulting in higher wellbeing and reduced isolation, with employees feeling more supported.]