Happy Birthday Zest!
We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of our award winning health and wellbeing initiative – Zest!
Written by Fiona
—17 Sept, 2021
Why we created Zest
We had a growing passion and enthusiasm to improve the health and wellbeing of our staff. We started small but had big ambitions, so a group of staff and Board members got together to form the Zest group who have met monthly ever since to plan all the activities and act as ambassadors for the group.
How we are celebrating
Zest runs activities for staff to take part in throughout the year, but this September we have ramped up the free wellbeing fun to celebrate Zest’s 10th birthday.
We have a variety of art and craft classes, cookery workshops, reiki, massage, mini health checks, a Dr Bike session – where staff can bring their bikes in for a check-up, and managing the menopause workshops.
“Zest were fantastic whilst we were in lockdown either furloughed or working from home and the online activities such as the felt craft sessions were great for mental well-being.”
We are doing a charity Pen Y Fan walk for staff and their families raising money for the Wales Air Ambulance. Three members of our staff, including our Chief Executive Paula will be running the Swansea half in October helping keep Wales Air Ambulance helicopters flying in the Welsh skies and saving lives.
We will be organising a big Zest Fest event next year where staff are given the morning off and are provided with a free healthy breakfast and unlimited drinks, exercise classes, badminton, bouncy castles, ping pong, squash, art and crafts and more.
“Keep doing what you do Zest.”
Through the last difficult 18 months Zest has been supporting staff with; health and wellbeing updates, a subscription to Headspace – a meditation and sleep app, free weekly exercise classes, nutrition workshops, virtual coffee mornings, treat boxes sent to each employee, mindfulness sessions, a talk from Nigel Owens MBE on mental health, singing workshops and more.
We also have a staff recognition scheme, where
staff can thank each other called Diolch. Since lockdown, you can see
how much of a family Melin is with everyone working together to help
others. The number of Diolch awards has increased. Staff can choose from
donating to our charity of the year, planting trees, or a box of
chocolates.
“I benefit from the advice, information and the many fun activities and events to attend.”
We believe that every employer has a responsibility to ensure their staff are looked after both mentally and physically. Our ethos is – it's the right thing to do. We can’t wait to see what Zest has to offer over the next 10 years.
“Zest sends encouraging emails, and the activities support my mental and physical wellbeing.”
