Liverpool's Hospitality Industry steps up for mental health with new wellbeing guide

Leading hospitality charity, Hospitality Action, has just launched a groundbreaking guide, “Next Steps: What the Industry Can Do to Improve Wellbeing in Hospitality”, aimed at enhancing mental health support within the industry.

Hospitality Action partnered with Walk for Wellbeing to create the guide, which offers practical strategies for hospitality businesses and individuals in Liverpool to better support employees.

With 76% of hospitality workers reporting mental health challenges in Hospitality Action’s latest survey, the guide addresses the growing concerns within the industry, which have increased in recent years due to the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Chief Executive at Hospitality Action, Mark Lewis, commented: “Hospitality is a dynamic and exciting industry, but it comes with its own pressures. We want to help employers prioritise the wellbeing of their teams, and this guide offers practical solutions and actionable steps to support employees – which are relatively easy to implement – to create a culture that supports the mental health and wellbeing of all, no matter what area of hospitality they work in.”

Christine Henney, HR Director, Rum Warehouse & Titanic Hotel, Liverpool’s city hosts, said:

“This year, we are excited to bring Walk for Wellbeing to the City of Liverpool for the very first time! taking place at the beautiful and historic Sefton Park, where participants can enjoy a scenic walk through the stunning 200-acre Grade I listed park.

“The walk is a perfect opportunity to support both your team’s wellbeing and Hospitality Action. We encourage everyone in the hospitality world to sign up for the walk and download the new Step-by-Step Guide to get insightful solutions for fostering a healthier work environment.”

With effective solutions such as Hospitality Action’s Employee Assistance Programme, which offers 24/7 confidential advice, financial guidance and counselling services, the guide highlights key steps to support employees such as tips on promoting a positive work/life balance with wellbeing champions and mental health first-aiders to help create a wellbeing-focused workplace.

Additionally, it offers best practices for regularly monitoring and communicating wellbeing through employee check-ins, feedback surveys and open discussions, and encourages teams to support wider wellbeing initiatives like Walk for Wellbeing.

Now in its fifth year and powered by UK hospitality talent partner mum and supported by Caterer.com, Imperial London Hotels, Lifetime Training, Mews, and Peoplebank, Walk for Wellbeing is a fun, flexible annual event all about taking simple steps towards raising vital funds to support individuals and their families in the hospitality sector who are facing challenging times.

Eight hosted 20km walks will take place in key cities across the UK on Sunday 13 October. Including one in Liverpool, which is taking place at Sefton Park and is being hosted by Liverpool Hospitality Association. Those unable to attend can ‘Walk It Your Way’ anytime between World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October and Sunday 27 October at a location and time that suits them best.

The guide is now available through Hospitality Action’s website and provides an essential resource for hospitality employers looking to support their teams.