New Leaf Workplace Wellbeing has won the Community Engagement Award at the recent Sedgemoor Business Excellence Awards, held on November 19, at The Canalside, Bridgwater.
The award recognises the team’s dedication and hard work in providing training, counselling and coaching services for local organisations alongside their active involvement in the Sedgemoor community.
Becky Wright, the Creative Director of New Leaf, said: “Giving back to the community sits at the heart of our work with New Leaf Workplace Wellbeing, we link ‘community’ to ‘engagement’ which shifts the focus from the individual to the collective. Without this, none of our work would be possible. We are so excited to have won this award, it has given us the boost we need to continue volunteering and supporting the community in any way we can.”
Mental health in agriculture has been a core focus for New Leaf. In July 2019 the organisation launched the Somerset Mental Health in Agriculture Group (SMHAG) in response to discovering the industry has the second highest suicide rate and the increasing numbers of agricultural workers suffering with depression.
By creating the group, New Leaf has helped develop ways to raise awareness of mental health among the farming community and encourage people to intervene and signpost for help where needed.
The engagement generated has led to the training of 33 local people as Mental Health First Aiders. The New Leaf team also helped to raise funds and share a local farmer’s story with a moving video, in conjunction with the Bridgwater Agricultural Society and the collaborative group.
New Leaf’s other work in the community includes providing over 135 hours of voluntary support since April 2021, with activities including delivering free talks on Mental Health in Agriculture to NHS Psychological Suicide Prevention staff, the Somerset Diversity NHS Group and the NHS Commissioning Group. New Leaf also donates a percentage of its revenue to supporting local environmental work, Bee Keeping and community events.
Pictured (above) from left are: From left, Becky Wright, Sarah Adams, Mandy Trunks and Michelle Pattenden– the New Leaf Workplace Wellbeing team.
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