Wellbeing for Business

Employee wellbeing is no longer a "nice to have". Increasingly, it is recognised as a critical factor influencing engagement, resilience, productivity, retention and organisational culture.

Businesses invest significant resources in supporting employee wellbeing, yet many traditional interventions focus on addressing problems once they arise. Evidence from nature and wellbeing research suggests there is another approach: creating the conditions in which people can thrive.

Research has linked contact with nature to improved mental wellbeing, lower stress, improved physical health, stronger social connection and greater resilience. A major review published in The Lancet Planetary Health concludes that:

"Extensive evidence indicates contact with nature is associated with good social, mental and physical health."

Nguyen, Phuong Y. et al.
A Review of Nature-Based Interventions for Mental Health Care, The Lancet Planetary Health, 2023

At the same time, growing evidence suggests that one of the strongest drivers of wellbeing is not simply feeling good, but feeling that what we do matters.

Researchers increasingly recognise purpose as an important contributor to wellbeing, resilience and engagement. Evidence from The Wildlife Trusts indicates that nature-positive action gives purpose and agency, which improves wellbeing.

This is where partnerships between businesses and Manx Wildlife Trust can be particularly valuable.

Nature-based activities allow employees to contribute to something tangible and meaningful. Whether restoring habitats, participating in citizen science, supporting wildlife gardening projects or volunteering on nature reserves, employees can see the impact of their efforts and understand how they are contributing to a larger goal.

Importantly, this sense of purpose is not separate from organisational culture. When employers create opportunities for staff to contribute to positive outcomes for the local environment and community, they help build a shared sense of purpose between employees and the organisation itself.

Wellbeing, Engagement and Retention

Employees increasingly want to work for organisations whose values are reflected in their actions. Nature-based partnerships provide a visible and meaningful way for businesses to demonstrate those values in practice. They create opportunities for employees to contribute to positive outcomes for wildlife, communities and the places in which they live and work.

Research cited by Manx Wildlife Trust's Partnerships Programme notes that:

Three-quarters of millennials consider a company's social and environmental commitments when deciding where to work, and almost two-thirds would not take a job with an employer they perceive to have weak corporate social responsibility practices.

(Cone Communications Millennial Employee Engagement Study)

For employers, this has practical implications.

Organisations that demonstrate authentic commitment to their communities, environment and social impact can benefit from:

Increased employee engagement
Improved retention
Stronger organisational culture
Greater staff pride and loyalty
Enhanced recruitment attractiveness
Improved ESG and sustainability performance

For younger generations in particular, organisational purpose and environmental responsibility are increasingly important considerations when choosing and remaining with an employer.

Manx Wildlife Trust works with businesses to develop partnerships that create benefits for employees, communities and nature simultaneously.

There is no single model.

Every partnership is different. The most effective wellbeing initiatives are those that reflect an organisation's people, culture and objectives. Some businesses are looking to strengthen employee wellbeing and social connection, others want to build team cohesion, create opportunities for staff to contribute to the community, support sustainability goals or engage employees around a shared sense of purpose.

Working together, we can develop opportunities that suit your organisation and your people. What matters is not simply the activity itself, but creating opportunities for employees to connect with nature, connect with each other and contribute to something positive. When organisations and employees work together towards a meaningful environmental or community outcome, wellbeing benefits are often accompanied by a stronger sense of belonging, organisational pride and shared purpose.

Together, we can develop long-term partnership packages that align with your organisation's goals and values.

Potential activities include: