The CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development) recently launched a new employee health and wellbeing area on their website, recognising the importance of providing help to British businesses to manage sickness and mental health issues at work.  The high costs to businesses of sickness absence have long been known, but perhaps the surprising fact is that stress, anxiety and depression account for as much as 47% and 61% of the total of long-term absence for manual and non-manual workers respectively.

Another disturbing finding highlighted by the CIPD is the lack of understanding by managers of the potential impact of mental health issues.  In reality, nearly one in four workers, at any one time, is directly affected by mental ill health.  When asked about the likelihood of mental ill health happening within their workforce, senior managers grossly under-estimate the figure.  This must mean that the majority of businesses are not adequately prepared to deal with mental health issues that arise.

We know that work plays a major part in promoting health and wellbeing.  Shawn Achor in his brilliant book “The Happiness Advantage” highlights the importance of 7 principles that he says fuel success and performance at work.  His 7^th principle is ‘social investment’ which he believes is an individual’s single greatest asset in combating the negative impacts of stress and challenges we face at work.  He says “studies have found that the strength of the bond between manager and employee is the prime predictor of both daily productivity and the length of time people stay in their jobs.”

It is important that organisations understand the role that excessive pressure and poor relationships has on the mental wellbeing of their staff.  It is crucial that managers are aware of the signs of poor mental health and that they are equipped to take the necessary actions to respond quickly to potential difficulties, rather than, as the data suggests, denying that it is an issue.  As always, prevention is the best cure to the problem.

The Mind Your Head Conference and Showcase is a unique opportunity in Dorset for managers and business owners to explore new activities and understand different techniques to positively stimulate mental wellbeing.  We have four world renowned speakers, including Tony Buzan (Mind Mapping creator) and a host of ‘Brain Cells’ (mind stimulating activity providers), who will challenge you to enhance your mental potential and wellbeing.  We should all be concerned about maintaining a healthy mind for longer as we are living and working well into old age.  After all, business and personal success is built on brain power.

Many organisations are considering their corporate social responsibility as well as seeking to minimise the cost and disruption of absence in the workplace.  Corporate social responsibility focuses on sustainability of the business and of jobs, and is about giving something back of value to employees and the wider community.  But are you struggling to know how best to achieve this?  The Mind Your Head Conference is a practical opportunity for business leaders and HR Managers to explore ideas and activities that support this.

Two events are interlinking on the day. People will be able to buy tickets in advance to attend the Conference and listen to four world renowned speakers, including Tony Buzan (Mind Mapping creator). Also taking place is a Showcase of ‘Brain Cells’ from around Dorset. Visitors to the Showcase will be able to explore a wide range of different stands offering a variety of mind stimulating activities. At the Light and Energy stand you will be encouraged to get involved in activities such as making a beaded sun-catcher, testing your nutritional knowledge in a game and receiving nutritional advice.  For those who enjoy making music, there is even an opportunity to take part in a drumming session.  And this is only one of 20 stands at the event!

Brain Cells have been registered all over Dorset.  Each Brain Cell represents an organisation that provides mind stimulating activities for people of any age, although they are encouraged to welcome those who are over 50.  Claire decided that the Light and Energy Centre in Weymouth would be an ideal ‘Brain Cell’.   The Centre provides a range of activities such as classes in Tai Chi and meditation, and a number of different therapies that help people to live healthier lives. As a nutritionist herself, Claire recognises the importance of eating the right foods and nutrients to feed the brain and keep us mentally alert for longer; critical these days as we expect to live longer.

Claire says “I decided to be involved in the Mind Your Head Challenge because I think it is very important for people over 50 to keep their brains active and to have access to the necessary information on how to do that. The Showcase is an exciting opportunity to meet other people with similar views, making connections is really important, you never know where it might lead.  We also have the Olympics in Weymouth in the two weeks leading up to the conference, which is a great opportunity to see a really good link between the physical and mental fitness of the athletes and the mental fitness we will be focusing on.”

Tickets for the Conference are £95.00 each and can be purchased in advance through the website.  To attend the Showcase you can buy tickets on the day at Kingston Maurward for £3.00 a head (this includes entrance to the lovely Kingston Maurward gardens, which is normally £5).

To find out more about the activities and therapies available at the Light and Energy Centre in Weymouthvisit their website at  www.lightandenergycentre.co.uk

This post was written by Caroline Brewer, Project Manager for the Conference.

As Valerie Singleton, celebrated broadcaster, and a founding director of simplicITy says: “It’s a major disadvantage not being able to use a computer or the internet, but with the HOMEKEY, a complete beginner – or someone who has given up because normal PC’s are too complicated – could be sending an email or exploring the web in less than an hour.”

It is estimated that 8.5 million people in the UK have never used a computer or have given up trying. They find conventional software too complicated and computers too expensive. The HOMEKEY overcomes both of these obstacles.

Memory sticks are conventionally used to store data. simplicITy computers has done something very different with them.  They have loaded a USB key with their own easy to use software, the simplicITy ENVELOPE, and built in video tutorials presented by Valerie Singleton.

What makes the development of the HOMEKEY so unusual is that it has been designed specifically to be used in just about any existing PC. It can provide a way to reuse many of the millions of computers that end up on the scrap heap each year. It now makes it possible to give these machines a second life, saving on the cost of computing and reducing the cost of waste, so it has a good environmental impact too

It will also benefit anyone living in residential care, social, sheltered or supported housing, enhancing their independence and reducing their isolation.  Even children having difficulty with computers can use the HOMEKEY.

This is a great way for older people to develop mind stimulating activities at home and gain social contact with their family, friends and wider world. To find out more, visit www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk or visit the stand and meet Valerie Singleton, in person, on August 12th at the Mind Your Head Showcase.

Peter Everett, from Rowledge, Hants, has booked four tickets for his family. He believes it will not only benefit him and his wife, but also their teenage children, who are about to face exam pressures.

“The traditional education system is very good at developing academic skills. We think that it’s great that a conference like this is available to all age groups. Everyone, not just their parents, need tools to improve brain power!” said Peter, when asked why he wanted his children to be there.

World Class Expertise

Four world class speakers, Tony Buzan, Dominic O’Brien, Professor Michael Crawford and Leontxo Garcia, will share their expertise on gaining your full mental potential. It is fantastic that speakers of this quality are coming to Dorset. Valerie Singleton, former BBC presenter, will chair the event. After the conference, delegates can also sample mind stimulating activities at the Showcase, which is running alongside the conference.

Book your ticket now.

Grandmaster Ray Keene, OBE, is one of the world’s most influential figures in the chess universe, bringing many notable chess events to London. He is also the author of 140 chess books, which is a world record. Keene rose to prominence in the chess scene in the early seventies. He won the British Chess Championship at Blackpool in 1971. At that time the UK had no GMs, and its best known player was the highly respected Jonathan Penrose (who famously beat Mikhail Tal in 1960). Keene was the first British player to achieve a GM result, so playing against him is a great opportunity.

“We are looking for mainly people over 50, but not exclusively. It is a unique prospect to play against a Grandmaster of this calibre” said Malcolm Steevens, Secretary of Dorset Chess Association. “Anyone wishing to apply should contact me for an entry form as soon as possible. If over subscribed, we may have to run a competition before August to select the final contestants.”

There is an entry fee of £25/player to help cover the costs of hosting the event.  A special chess board is being created at the Verne Prison as a prize.

If you would like to play chess against Ray Keene, then contact Malcolm Steevens on 01305 781225 or email: malcatmerit@aol.com for an entry form. Anyone interested in chess generally is welcome to be a spectator and sample the taster sessions being run.