The Drinks Trust’s innovative wellbeing initiative for companies, the Business Advisory Programme, has achieved remarkable milestones in its first year since launch.
Conceived and launched at the end of 2023 to support businesses in their wellbeing journeys, The Business Advisory Programme empowers managers and HR professionals to place wellbeing at the heart of their people strategy, ensuring every individual in their organisation can thrive. The Business Advisory Programme was created in response to the challenges that some industry companies face in creating and executing effective wellbeing strategies. Guided by a steering committee of organisations from across the drinks and hospitality industries, the programme is run by the industry, for the industry, so it remains relevant and helps members address issues specific to the drinks and hospitality universe.
Unlike Employment Assistance Programmes that tend to be passive, the programme is proactive; it supports members in working out what is needed to improve the wellbeing of their employees, to create a wellbeing strategy, then in implementation, driven by a team of trained champions who are equipped with the resources and access to reduced cost training they need in order to effectively execute the plan.
Employee absenteeism and presenteeism have become critical challenges for businesses, with the average employee taking six days off each year due to illness, costing employers approximately £5,000 per person. Stress remains one of the top three reasons for short-term absences. Beyond absenteeism, presenteeism – where employees are at work but not functioning at full capacity due to health issues – results in an average loss of 43 working days per person annually, severely impacting productivity.
In its first year of operation, 14 leading industry organisations joined the BAP programme as members, supporting over 3,500 people in the drinks and hospitality sector, and trained 46 wellbeing champions.
The programme has created a variety of best practice guidelines exclusively for its members, including a bespoke drinks industry charter on how supporting employees from the effects of alcohol harm for the members of the wellbeing Business Advisory Programme in partnership with Drinkaware. This charter outlines the commitments and best practices for companies in the alcohol industry to promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of their employees. By fostering a responsible, inclusive, and supportive environment, companies can address the potential harms associated with alcohol, reduce stigma, and offer resources to support all employees. On managing alcohol in the workplace in partnership with Drinkaware, it aims to establish the wellbeing gold standard for the industry to adhere to.
Karen Tyrell, CEO of Drinkaware, comments being a wellbeing partner of the BAP: “Ensuring employees from across the alcohol industry are well supported from the effects of alcohol harm is incredibly important. That’s why it’s fantastic to join forces with The Drinks Trust and to have produced such a strong charter. This, alongside the broader Business Advisory Programme, is a significant step in demonstrating the industries ongoing commitment to reducing alcohol harm.”
Since its launch in November 2023, The Business Advisory Programme’s key milestones are:
- 14 companies joining the programme, representing 3,500 industry employees
- across the BAP members, 46 wellbeing champions have been trained
- 1,200 wellbeing resources have been downloaded from the exclusive programme’s platform
- industry-specific wellbeing policies have been exclusively created for the BAP members
- a three-year roadmap for organisations to achieve wellbeing as part of the organisational culture has been created
- the official programme badge and membership logo have been created
- the members have started a process aimed at developing our industry’s gold standard programme for employee wellbeing
Nicky Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust, comments: “The Business Advisory Programme is a must-have tool for any organisation wanting to boost productivity, improve staff retention and attract the best talent in our industry today. Guided by a steering committee, the BAP is run by industry, for industry and all of our members have renewed after year one, a testament to its value. I would encourage any organisation that would like to do more for the wellbeing of employees but is not sure where to start to get in touch.”
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) highlights the urgent need for businesses to implement comprehensive health and wellbeing strategies. To effectively address these issues, wellbeing initiatives must be championed by senior leadership and incorporated into company culture. This includes equipping line managers with the skills and confidence to support employee wellbeing. Companies that prioritise and actively support the health of their workforce are likely to see improved retention, as 64% of managers indicated they would leave their current role for a business that better supports their wellbeing.
The BAP focuses on four key areas of health: physical, mental, social and financial, and it is executed via a network of trained “Wellbeing Champions” in each business who are helping to shape the wellbeing strategy of their business, armed with a wealth of resources and expert advice.
The Business Advisory Programme already has14 members in its first year: Berkmann Wine Cellar, Chapel Down, Claridge’s, Davy’s, Drake & Morgan, Ellis Wines, Gusbourne, Hatch Mansfield, Jeroboams, Lay & Wheeler, Maison Marques et Domaines, The Berkeley, The Wine Society and West Midlands Combined Authority.
The Drinks Trust is actively recruiting industry businesses to join the Advisory Programme. For more information, please visit www.drinkstrust.org.uk/get-involved/for-businesses/wellbeing-business-advisory-programme or email Nicky Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust at nicky@drinkstrust.org.uk
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Notes to the Editor
The Drinks Trust
The Drinks Trust is committed to supporting drinks hospitality colleagues, past and present, in their time of need. We provide financial assistance, nurture their wellbeing and champion the growth of a skilled and engaged workforce. Upholding our values of respect, compassion and empowerment, we are building a healthier future for our people.To find out more, please visit www.drinkstrust.org.uk For media enquiries, please email Alessandra Brugola, Head of Marketing & Communications at alessandra@drinkstrust.org.uk
Drinkaware
Drinkaware is the UK’s leading alcohol charity which aims to reduce alcohol harm. We achieve this by providing impartial, evidence-based information, advice and practical resources; raising awareness of alcohol and its harms and working collaboratively with partners.www.drinkaware.co.uk • Founded in 2006 by the UK Government, the devolved administrations and the alcohol industry, Drinkaware is funded by unrestricted voluntary donations from more than 120 organisations. These include UK alcohol producers, retailers, supermarkets, venues, restaurant groups and sports associations
For media enquiries, please email Alessandra Brugola, Head of Marketing & Communications at alessandra@drinkstrust.org.uk
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