Ark Fire Protection has reported a collaboration with Bowmer + Kirkland to address mental health in the construction sector.
Ark Fire Protection holds wellness day to support employee wellbeing
Ark’s 2025 wellness day promotes staff wellbeing
Ark Fire Protection has hosted its second annual Wellness Day for UK-based employees, with activities focused on mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and rest.
According to Ark Fire Protection, the event took place at its head office and included workshops, fitness sessions and practical training designed to support wellbeing in the workplace.
The company said the programme was developed following positive feedback from last year’s inaugural event.
This year’s session included a sleep workshop led by Phil Leary, a cooking class hosted by a private chef, and a guided yoga and meditation session.
All staff who attended received a wellness package and branded t-shirt.
Managing Director highlights importance of employee care
Howard Hudson, Managing Director at Ark Fire Protection, said the event aligned with the company’s core values.
Hudson said: “At Ark, we take pride in protecting buildings but even more importantly, we believe in protecting the people inside them.”
“Ark Wellness Day is about giving our team the tools, time, and support they need to care for themselves, both inside and outside the workplace.”
The company stated that the event is part of its broader workplace culture strategy.
Workshops focused on sleep, nutrition and relaxation
The sleep workshop was delivered by Phil Leary and focused on rest and recovery.
According to Ark Fire Protection, this session aimed to improve awareness of healthy sleep habits among staff.
The interactive cooking class was led by a private chef named Marcel.
Employees were shown how to prepare nutritious meals using basic equipment typically found in office kitchens.
The yoga and meditation session was held in the afternoon to allow time for reflection and relaxation.
Event forms part of ongoing internal engagement strategy
Ark Fire Protection described the Wellness Day as part of a wider effort to support its employees’ mental and physical health.
The company said the initiative aligns with its goal to build a socially conscious workplace environment.
It follows other internal campaigns to promote communication, wellbeing, and professional development.
Ark Fire Protection said the annual format allows the initiative to evolve based on employee feedback.
According to the company, it intends to continue these wellness activities throughout the year.
Staff incentives included wellness kits and branded clothing
In addition to participating in workshops, employees received branded wellness packs.
The packs included practical items to encourage ongoing health and wellbeing practices at work and at home.
Ark Fire Protection also provided all attendees with Ark Wellness Club t-shirts.
The company said these gestures were designed to reinforce appreciation for staff and promote continuity in wellness efforts.
It also forms part of the company’s broader strategy to embed health-conscious behaviours into daily routines.
Ark Fire Protection holds wellness day to support employee wellbeing: Summary
Ark Fire Protection has hosted its second annual Wellness Day for employees in the United Kingdom.
The event took place at the company’s head office.
According to Ark Fire Protection, the activities included a sleep workshop, cooking session, and yoga and meditation class.
The sleep session was led by expert Phil Leary.
The cooking class was hosted by private chef Marcel.
A yoga and meditation session was held in the afternoon.
All participating employees received a wellness pack and branded t-shirt.
The company said the initiative forms part of its broader employee engagement programme.
Ark Fire Protection described the event as a continuation of last year’s internal wellbeing effort.
According to the company, the event supports a wider focus on mental health, nutrition, and rest.
The company stated that the programme was shaped by employee feedback.
Ark Fire Protection said it plans to continue similar initiatives in future.
Building management pivotal in global health and wellbeing, says respiratory expert
Impact of indoor environmental quality on health
A recent technical briefing in London, hosted by the CIBSE Patrons, shed light on the critical role of facilities management and building services engineering in global human health and wellbeing.
Dr Philip Webb, Chief Executive of Respiratory Innovation Wales (RIW), emphasised the influence these sectors have, surpassing even the medical and social care professions in terms of impact.
Webb highlighted the severity of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) crisis, advocating for increased investment in building and facilities management.
This, he argued, would be more effective than medical treatment in reducing excess deaths related to respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health conditions.
Data on excess deaths due to air quality
Public Health Wales data revealed that air quality is responsible for up to 1,400 excess deaths per 100,000 people annually.
In contrast, Covid-19 accounts for 38 deaths per 100,000, smoking for 180, and cancer for 278.
Despite these numbers, air quality receives a fraction of the public funds allocated to health and wellbeing services.
Legacy of building design and new standards
“We are suffering from a legacy of poor building design dating back to the 1960s and 70s,” Webb said.
He pointed out that people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, making indoor air quality (IAQ) the most pressing issue.
Webb also revealed the upcoming launch of British Standard 40102 (Part One) for health and wellbeing in buildings.
This standard, first unveiled at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, will offer benchmarks for measuring, monitoring, and reporting IEQ in non-domestic buildings.
Financial aspects and insurance industry response
RIW’s research shows that in Wales alone, £2.4 billion (£763 million on direct health costs) was spent on mitigating Covid-19 impacts.
Comparatively, less than £20 million is spent annually on air quality measures, primarily focused on outdoor air.
Webb also noted the increasing involvement of the insurance industry due to rising claims for workplace ill health.
Comments from industry experts
Helen Yeulet of the Building Engineering Services Association highlighted the industry’s significant skills gap and the role of the Building Safety Act in addressing project quality: “BESA is 120 years old this year and our members have been talking about the skills gap and the importance of ensuring only competent people carry out building services work since the very first meeting in 1904. This is just the latest iteration of a perennial problem.
“However, the stakes are higher than ever now as the new Building Safety Regulator has the legal power to look back 30 years and it will become increasingly important to have evidence that people are being properly trained to be compliant with legislation.”
CIBSE President Adrian Catchpole stressed the need for more professionals to meet climate change targets.
IFSJ Comment
The insights provided by Dr Philip Webb at the CIBSE Patrons technical briefing underscore the importance of facilities management and building services engineering in addressing global health challenges.
The data presented sheds light on the often-overlooked aspect of indoor air quality and its impact on public health.
The upcoming British Standard for health and wellbeing in buildings is a step forward, offering guidelines that could set new benchmarks in building design and management, potentially influencing health outcomes on a global scale.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service enhances crew welfare with new mobile units
Introduction of new welfare units for Firefighters
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is demonstrating its commitment to the wellbeing of its crews through the introduction of two advanced welfare units.
Costing £180,000, these vehicles serve as mobile bases, offering essential facilities to crews during extensive or challenging incidents.
These units, equipped with kitchens, toilet/shower facilities, and changing spaces, provide a supportive environment for Firefighters on duty.
One vehicle is currently based at Cockermouth Fire Station, while the second will be stationed in the Westmorland and Furness area.
However, both units are available for deployment across the county wherever needed.
Ian Seel, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager, highlighted the benefits of these vehicles: “Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is pleased to introduce these two new vehicles to the service.
“They offer a warm, dry and safe space for Firefighters working in an operational environment, supporting their health, safety and wellbeing during a lengthy or challenging incident.”
Visit by Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
Mike Johnson, Cumbria’s Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, recently visited Cockermouth Fire Station to interact with the crew and explore the welfare unit.
During his visit, Mr Johnson underscored the importance of investing in Firefighter welfare, especially considering the risks they face in their line of duty.
He remarked: “Our Firefighters regularly put their own lives at risk to save others in their communities, so it is only right that we invest in their welfare, especially during large-scale incidents that can take place over several hours.
“The addition of these latest new vehicles means that we will soon have three mobile welfare units spread across the county.
“It is important that we provide our Firefighters with the best resources possible, to help keep Cumbria safe.”
Recruitment of On-Call Firefighters in Cockermouth
In addition to enhancing crew welfare, Cockermouth Fire Station is actively recruiting On-Call Firefighters.
An open evening was organised this week to offer prospective recruits more information and a guided tour of the station and vehicles.
Those interested in joining the team and contributing to community safety can find more details and application instructions on the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service website.
IFSJ Comment
The introduction of new welfare units by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service marks a thoughtful investment in the wellbeing of its Firefighters.
Providing these facilities recognises the demanding nature of their work and the need for a supportive environment during prolonged incidents.
It exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to resource allocation, ensuring that those who protect the community are themselves well cared for.
Such developments in crew welfare are essential for maintaining a resilient and effective emergency service.
British Safety Council announces workplace wellbeing support
British Safety Council has announced that it is offering any organisation employing up to 500 staff the chance to get free support to improve the wellbeing of their workplace.
Through its campaign on workplace wellbeing, Keep Thriving, the health, safety and wellbeing charity is inviting SMEs and micro-sized employers to apply to attend one of a series of free 3-hour workshops to help them develop a wellbeing strategy.
Any employer with to up to 500 staff can apply here. Applications are currently open until 30 November.
The sessions will be delivered by experts from British Safety Council’s Being Well Together programme and will help employers explore why wellbeing matters to them, their people and their business, and ways they can improve their wellbeing. The session aims to help small, medium, and micro-sized employers to develop a strategy which works and to track and evaluate their progress.
On launching the offer, Peter McGettrick, Chairman of British Safety Council, said: “We’ve been seeing more and more pressures piling onto businesses, especially smaller ones, both following the Covid pandemic and with the rising cost of energy, and as a charity we want to do something to help. That’s why we are offering SMEs and micro-sized employers the chance to improve the wellbeing of their staff, completely free of charge.
“Employers will be able to meet other like-minded organisations to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and best ways of developing a wellbeing strategy and find out how improving wellbeing boosts their organisational performance and reduces the likelihood of accidents and ill-health among their staff. This is a great chance to take a fresh look at how you, your staff and your business can succeed and thrive together.”
British Safety Council is also offering all employers who attend the opportunity to apply for a cash award to fund activity they decide to do as a result, with plans to make up to £10,000 available to one or more organisations.