Lloyds Banking Group teams up with Halifax based arts organisation for well-being project

community arts organisation Artworks, The Everybody School of Art, created a virtual programme of creative activities designed to help Lloyds Banking Group staff reduce the impact of stress and support emotional wellbeing with a particular focus on combating Seasonal Affective Disorder.

This work came about after Martin Roberts, Mental Health Lead for the Group Transformation Division within Lloyds Banking Group, came together with Lauren Iredale and Harriet Fletcher at Artworks to see if there was a way to adapt their successful Artworks for wellbeing programmes to support people experiencing stress and poor mental health at work.

The project has had the added benefit of providing much needed support to a local arts organisation and the artists it works with who have been hit hard by the pandemic.

The Artworks for Wellbeing Programme encouraged Lloyds Banking Group colleagues to take a break and wind down during the work day using a range of arts and crafts activities that were later shared, celebrated and enjoyed with their colleagues, family and friends.

Over six weeks, 150 Lloyds Banking Group colleagues from across the length and breadth of the country accessed step by step videos, live zoom sessions, digital workbooks and a bumper materials pack.

All of the sessions were hosted by local artists who specialise in sharing and delivering creative activities that improve wellbeing. The sessions covered everything from drawing and printmaking to claywork and paper folding, there were even some special Christmas themed activities to enjoy.

“Like many organisations, the past eight months have been exceptionally difficult for many of our colleagues as we all learn to adapt how we go about our everyday lives both personally and professionally and with this we have also had to adapt the way we approach and support our colleagues wellbeing,” said Martin.

“This Artworks for Wellbeing programme has been a great addition to the wellbeing resources we have already been providing for our people. it’s packed with all types of different art techniques and classes but all with the one ultimate aim, to give our colleagues some “me time”, to be creative and in the process support mental wellbeing. It has been a great success.”