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09/04/10
The Wallich Achieves 'Silver Level' of Assembly's Corporate Health Standard
The Wallich is celebrating this week after 2 years of hard work to change the health and well-being culture of the organisation have resulted in the charity being awarded the ‘Silver’ level in the Corporate Health Standard.

The Corporate Health Standard, run by the Welsh Assembly Government, is the quality mark for workplace health promotion in Wales. It is presented in bronze, silver, gold and platinum categories to public and private sector organisations implementing practices to promote the health and well-being of their employees. Like other workplace quality initiatives, it is a progressive programme and organisations are reassessed every three years. The work to achieve the standard is consistent with the business excellence model, which drives quality and organisational development in many organisations.

The Wallich has been working hard to make sure that policies and practices across the organisation are in-line with creating a healthy and happy working environment for its staff, and healthy lifestyle choices for its clients.
Regional health and well-being groups have been set up, and the organisation has started a bike scheme. The organisation’s 2 day staff conference in 2009 was based around the theme of health and well-being and featured the opportunity for staff to try ‘taster sessions’ of acupuncture, Wii-Fit and ‘British Military Fitness’. Staff can also join Paycare, which allows people to reclaim money spent on healthcare for a fixed monthly payment which is subsidised by the organisation. Occupational Health, Human Resources Surgeries, mediation provision and access to qualified counsellors internally and externally support the organisation’s promotion of good mental health provision.

The Corporate Health Standard Assesors said:
“During the two day assessment process, it became obvious to the assessors that The Wallich had fully embraced the Health at Work philosophy and was striving to embed it into the culture of the organisation.

In discussion with members of the board, senior managers, the Health Well Being Working Group and through several site visits, the assessors were of the opinion that within all of the areas visited, the Health at Work philosophy reached all levels of staff and was reflected in the way in which staff spoke so positively about the organisation.

It was noted that in some areas, a significant amount of work had been undertaken which enabled the organisation to be well placed for onward progression through the Corporate Health Standard and following a period of consolidation, to ensure that health and wellbeing is firmly embedded into the culture of the organisation. The Wallich therefore appears set to continue its health and well being journey.”

Suzanne Morris, head of HR at The Wallich, and the driving force behind the achievement is very happy with the silver award:
“I am especially pleased with this outcome as this is the first time that The Wallich has gone for Corporate Health Assessment, and I’m told it is very unusual for an organisation to achieve more than bronze at the first assessment. The assessors told us that they were very impressed by the health & well-being policies and practices in place.

I am thrilled that the organisation has secured this nationally recognised quality mark, and that we can now add this to our growing portfolio of quality standards.”

07/04/10
MEAD properties chooses The Wallich as official charity
Mead Property Services, one of Cardiff’s best known property companies, has chosen The Wallich as its official charity.

“Most of us take it for granted that we have a warm, safe and comfortable place to return to every day, but the same is not true for many vulnerable people who sleep rough and have nowhere to call home,” says Roger Tucker, MD of Mead Property Services.

“The Wallich provides a lifeline to people who find themselves homeless, providing long-term solutions to individuals’ problems and helping vulnerable people participate in society once again.”

The first donation will be given to the Sir Julian Hodge Centre in Cardiff to provide financial backing for residents to learn life skills such as cooking.

“We do all we can to help our clients make a successful transition from being homeless to living an independent life in a home of their own,” explains hostel manager, Hazel Yates.

“It’s very important that we help people to learn vital skills such as cooking and budgeting, otherwise coping with these things alone can be overwhelming.”

26.03.10
Wallich Staff Member Hannah is an Inspiration to Adult Learners
On 25th March at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, The Wallich Learning Department were honoured to be part of the Niace Dysgu Cymru Inspire Adult Tutor and Mentor Awards. Wallich staff member Hannah Woodward was presented with a Highly Commended Award for her work with Passport to Progress learners based at our Dinas Fechan Hostel in Swansea.

This award recognises the achievements and outstanding commitment of tutors/mentors and how they have helped adults unlock their potential through learning.

Hannah has a group of seventeen learners based at Dinas Fechan . Two of the group have secured employment through the “future jobs fund”, four are currently accessing volunteer placements, eight learners are involved in the production of a DVD , outlining their learning journeys and all seventeen learners are working towards accredited learning, including undertaking an outstanding fifty-three AQA work books.

This highly successful programme will see work-ready learners access the “skillbuild” programme through Swansea College in September, where they will have the opportunity to attend work placements for twelve weeks to build on their skills and knowledge.