A North Belfast networking event is set to give local entrepreneurs, freelancers and professionals the opportunity to explore practical ways to recognise the signs of stress, protect their wellbeing and understand when additional support may be needed.
As part of its monthly networking series, Jennymount Business Park is hosting Wellness At Work: Tips & Strategies For Mental, Emotional, Physical and Creative Health on Thursday August 20.
Taking place from 10am to 12pm, the event will bring together three speakers to explore how people can recognise the impact of pressure, know when additional support may be needed and develop realistic habits that support their health and effectiveness at work.
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Host and Jennymount Business Park tenant Tina Calder of Entrepreneurs Unleashed will be joined by Maria Dowds from Staff Training and Sam Barr from Hope Mental Wellbeing.
Nicole Doherty, property manager at Stanvale, the company that owns the Jennymount complex, said: “For many business owners, looking after clients, staff and day-to-day demands often comes before looking after themselves. But when pressure continues to build, it can affect everything from decision-making and productivity to confidence, creativity and physical health.
“At Jennymount we believe supporting businesses also means supporting the people behind them.
“We are proud to champion workplace wellbeing and create opportunities where business owners, professionals and teams can connect, learn and access practical support.”
The event will include Maria Dowds, Deputy Training Manager at Staff Training (based in Jennymount’s Lanyon building), who will deliver an interactive taster session on recognising and managing stress, improving resilience and supporting physical and mental wellbeing at work.
Maria will also guide attendees through a simple breathing or grounding technique that can be used during the working day.
Optional blood pressure checks will be available during the event, giving attendees an opportunity to consider how stress can affect physical health and why regular health checks can be valuable.
Maria will also introduce the ad hoc Health & Wellbeing Clinics delivered by Staff Training for organisations, which can include health checks, wellbeing support and practical advice for employees.
Maria said: “When people are busy, it can be easy to ignore the early signs that stress is beginning to affect them.
“The aim of this session is to help attendees become more aware of those signs and show that looking after your wellbeing does not have to involve major changes. Small, practical actions can make it easier to manage pressure before it becomes overwhelming.
“I hope people will leave feeling more confident about taking those first steps and having conversations about health and wellbeing in their own workplaces.”
While Maria’s session will focus on recognising and responding to the physical and mental effects of pressure, psychotherapist Sam Barr of Hope Mental Wellbeing will talk about why asking for support can be particularly difficult for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
A mental wellbeing and mindset change practitioner-therapist, Sam will examine some of the beliefs that can prevent people from seeking help and how changing unhelpful thought patterns can influence behaviour, decision-making and outcomes.
He said: “Entrepreneurs and business leaders are often expected to be the person with the answers, so admitting that they are struggling can feel uncomfortable.
“There can be a belief that asking for help shows weakness or that successful people should be able to cope alone. In reality, recognising that something needs to change can be an important act of leadership.
“I want attendees to think differently about support and understand that the right conversation, at the right time, can have a positive impact on both the person and the business.”
Tina Calder, Chief Vision Officer at Entrepreneurs Unleashed, will facilitate a round-the-room discussion in which attendees can share practical strategies that have worked for them.
She will give attendees the opportunity to widen the conversation beyond stress and support to consider the different ways people look after their mental, emotional, physical and creative wellbeing.
Tina will also discuss some of the approaches she uses to help her neurodivergent mind remain focused while protecting her creativity and energy.
As always organisers stress there’ll be no pressure to share personal experiences, with attendees welcome to contribute practical ideas or simply listen to the discussion.
Tina explained: “Wellbeing doesn’t look the same for everyone, especially when people have different working styles, responsibilities and ways of processing the world around them.
“For me, creative wellbeing is just as important as mental, emotional and physical health. When our energy or focus is depleted, it can affect how we communicate, solve problems and generate ideas.
“I want this to be an honest but practical conversation where people can pick up strategies from one another and leave with ideas that fit their own lives, rather than feeling they have been given another unrealistic list of things they should be doing.”
The session is designed to provide straightforward guidance that attendees can use immediately, with no previous knowledge required.
Nicole said the Jennymount Networking series gives people the chance to attend without the pressure of having to perform with participation being completely optional.
She added: “Attendees will also have the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves and explain what they do, what they offer and what they are looking for.
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“If you’re new to networking the staff on hand will be given a quick and simple formula to follow, while anyone who would prefer not to introduce themselves will be welcome to pass without judgement.”
Tea and coffee will be provided, with free on-site parking available at Jennymount Business Park, Lanyon Building, North Derby Street, Belfast.
Jennymount Business Park also offers a range of flexible offices, serviced workspaces, hotdesking facilities and meeting rooms for businesses and professionals at different stages of their journey.
To find out more or register for the event go to Eventbrite.
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