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International Self-Care Day, celebrated on July 24th, is designed to highlight the importance of self-care for both mental and physical wellbeing. In the context of bid writing, particularly when addressing social value questions, describing self-care practices in proposals demonstrates how your organisation enhances the wellbeing of your staff and positively impacts the communities you serve.
To effectively address self-care and wellbeing in bids, it is essential to consider how these practices can be woven into your organisation's culture and the broader community. This can be achieved by implementing specific initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to mental and physical health, aligning with the growing emphasis on social value in procurement processes.
Why is wellbeing important in the context of social value?
The UK has several pieces of legislation and guidance that address staff and community wellbeing as part of social value considerations including:
Social Value Model
The UK government's Social Value Model, which provides guidance for implementing the Social Value Act, includes Theme 5 specifically focused on wellbeing. This theme addresses:
- Improving health and wellbeing in the workforce
- Supporting health and wellbeing in the workforce through inclusive recruitment practices and investing in physical and mental health
- Influencing support for health and wellbeing beyond the immediate workforce
- Improving community integration through collaboration, co-design, and delivery of services
- Promoting strong, integrated communities through awareness, training, and volunteering initiatives
TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures) Framework
The TOMs framework, developed by the Social Value Portal, is a measurement tool used by many public sector organisations to assess social value. While not legislation itself, it's widely used to implement social value requirements. The framework includes measures related to staff and community wellbeing.
One concrete example of promoting staff wellbeing is the establishment of a comprehensive employee wellness programme. This could include mental health days, access to counselling services, and regular workshops on stress management and resilience training. By fostering a supportive environment where employees feel valued and cared for, organisations can enhance productivity and job satisfaction, ultimately leading to better outcomes in terms of service quality, effectiveness, and profitability.
In addition to staff-focused initiatives, it is essential to consider the wellbeing of the community in social value responses. This can be achieved through partnerships with local health and voluntary or community organisations to provide free access to workshops and resources promoting healthy living. For instance, organising community fitness events or mental health awareness campaigns can create a ripple effect, encouraging individuals to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Another important element is to incorporate culturally sensitive self-care practices into social value responses, so you can resonate with, and engage, diverse communities. Understanding and respecting the various ways self-care is perceived across cultures can enhance community engagement and support. For example, offering mindfulness and meditation sessions that reflect local traditions can foster inclusivity and demonstrate a genuine commitment to community wellbeing.
It is also vital to highlight the importance of self-care in the workplace to combat burnout and promote a healthy work-life balance. Encouraging flexible working arrangements and providing resources for self-care can empower employees to take charge of their health, which in turn can lead to a more engaged and motivated workforce, that stays with you for longer.
International Self-Care Day offers a reminder for organisations to reflect on how self-care practices can be embedded into their operations and community initiatives – it’s not all about the financial benefits you can give back to society. By prioritising the wellbeing of both staff and the community, organisations can enhance their social value responses and contribute to a healthier, more resilient society. Embracing self-care as a fundamental aspect of organisational culture is not just beneficial; it is essential for sustainable success in the competitive landscape of bidding.
Want to contribute to the wellbeing of your staff? Why not bring in some external bid support. We make bidding less stressful and improve your chances of winning.
Ocean City Bids is a professional bid agency based in the UK, covering all industries and with extensive experience and expertise in healthcare, social care, recruitment, life sciences and telecoms. We provide a range of services to support your business to bid for contracts, and to win. Contact us on bid@oceancitybids.co.uk for a friendly, informal discussion about your bidding needs. www.oceancitybids.co.uk
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