Infotel’s Annual Charity Walk: Simonside Hill Hike

Our team started this month by supporting a very important cause in a stunning location. Spending a Sunday morning hiking to Simonside Hills, Infotel’s annual Charity Walk to support Tyneside and Northumberland Mind was a great way to raise funds and awareness for an important cause.

Mind provides vital resources for those experiencing a vast range of mental health-related issues, and mental illnesses. While it’s still a topic widely considered difficult to talk about, all workplaces must keep an open and honest policy for any of their workforce who may need support.

Working conditions and environment can have a huge impact on mental health. Equally, someone’s mental health can significantly affect performing well in their job.

• 1 in 6.8 people experience mental health problems in the workplace (14.7%). (Mental Health at Work Report, Royal College of Psychiatrists)
• Evidence suggests that 12.7% of all sickness absence days in the UK can be attributed to mental health conditions. (Leeds, NHS: Digital 2024)

Monique Barton, our Talent Acquisition & Events Manager, was delighted to organise this year’s get-together:

“Sunday was an impressive turnout for our charity walk this year at Simonside Hills.

It was great to see everyone come together for a shared cause whilst enjoying the fresh air with beautiful views and of course my favourite, sharing snacks along the way!

Well done to everyone who participated and donated.”

How can businesses create a culture that supports staff to be open about their mental health? By taking steps to create a more open and supportive culture, staff should begin to feel more confident to talk to managers about their mental health. However, it’s important to remember culture change doesn’t happen overnight, and the individual relationships between managers and employees are the key to getting this right. If people are able to receive support quickly, this can often help steer them away from developing a more serious problem. For this reason, it’s vital that organisations have clear, well publicised channels in place for employees to raise concerns and take positive action promptly when staff seek help. Standing by people when they experience a mental health problem is not only about keeping hold of a valuable staff member – it also sends a message about your organisation’s values. Trust and integrity are key drivers of engagement and organisations that support staff reap the benefits in terms of loyalty and commitment from all employees.

Our fundraising page for 2024’s walk is still active for anyone who would like to donate to this important cause, and a huge thank you to those who have donated so far:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/infotel-charity-walk-for-mind