What does "wellbeing" mean to colleagues?
We asked some colleagues in different roles what "wellbeing" means to them in their day-to-day business life at the Council.
Here are their answers!
Laura Neill: Senior Manager (Employability & Skills) within the Education Directorate
Wellbeing in my day-to-day role means creating the conditions for my amazing team, delivery partners, local employers and the people we support to feel valued, supported and able to thrive. For me, wellbeing is closely linked to reducing unemployment, improving outcomes for people, and working with employers to create more good quality jobs.
It is also about tackling health inequalities by ensuring more people can access the support available through Working North Ayrshire, build confidence and take up the opportunities they need to move forward. Ultimately, wellbeing is about making a real and lasting difference to people’s lives.
Stewart Robbie: Business Manager, within the Education Directorate
Wellbeing means delivering projects and programmes that help services and wider partners work together better to provide the best possible support for local people. One of the programmes where we are doing this work in North Ayrshire is the Collaboration for Health Equity in Scotland (CHES).
CHES seeks to improve health outcomes for local people by focusing on working together better to deliver the building blocks of health in early years, employment and ill health prevention in identified communities.
Hayley Quinn: Business Improvement Officer for Streetscene, within Neighbourhood Services
To me, wellbeing in my day-to-day role would consist of being happy and confident with my work and team around me. If I am not happy, it has a negative impact on the work I do as well as my colleagues. I need to feel confident that I have the correct support and facilities to do my job to its full potential. I would also like to think I can be a support to others too. Honesty and trust is essential.
Flexible and agile working has taken the pressure off family life, allowing me to be a mum with a young family but also being able to fulfil my role as a full-time employee. Without that, I feel the mental and physical stress would seriously impact my ability to do my job. And for that I am truly grateful.
Ailsa Conlin: Locality Worker in Kilwinning within Community Learning and Development
Wellbeing in my role as a locality worker within the council means creating a balanced, supportive environment for both me and the people I work with. I recognise that maintaining my own wellbeing allows me to be present, resilient, and effective in supporting others. Being part of a team with a supportive manager strengthens this, as I feel valued, guided, and able to reflect openly on challenges.
My focus is on promoting the wellbeing of the individuals I support by listening, empowering, and connecting them to the right resources, while also ensuring I maintain healthy boundaries and self-care practices.
