Introducing UR@Work

A 2021 special report by YMCA Workwell found that 78% of surveyed respondents felt that the pandemic had negatively impacted their personal well-being. Of the conclusions drawn from these statistics, one in particular was of great interest to us: that “we cannot have healthy communities without healthy workplaces.” Communities are in desperate need of meaningful connection and additional mental health supports, and this is especially true in the modern workplace.

Over the last six years, we have witnessed first-hand the positive impact our walking and running programs have had. This comes as no surprise given the extensive research confirming the positive connection between outdoor physical activity (especially those performed in spaces of abundant green and blue space) and improved mental health and well-being. Therefore, it made sense that we should take what we had learned and apply it to local workplaces.

A modern workplace (Credit: Pexels)

Earlier this year, we shared that, thanks to the generosity of 100+ Men Guelph, we would be launching a new program called UR@Work. The program would aim to provide local workplace employees with the opportunity to experience the mental health benefits of green exercise. Further, the program would build on our existing support model that combines the benefits of exercise, nature, and social connections to prevent or provide an early intervention for mental health challenges.

In recognition of Healthy Workplace Month and World Mental Health day 2022, we are excited to announce that we have officially launched UR@Work in collaboration with the University of Guelph’s Wellness@Work team and the team at Family and Children’s Services of Guelph and Wellington County. Though these programs have been specially developed to cater to the unique needs of the employees, the foundation of our work remains the same:

Exercise + Nature + Social Connections = Improved Mental Health

We are only just getting started with this new program, but we are hopeful that it will have an important positive impact on our local workplaces and our community as a whole. If you or your workplace is interested in this initiative and would like to learn more, please get in touch with us.

A forest trail bordered by cedars (Credit: Peter H)