Core and unrestricted funding is still the most important support a funder can offer – a wellbeing programme is not going to replace salaries or keep the lights on. But we think that ringfenced support for wellbeing also has value and a place in our sectors.
Impact of the wellbeing awards
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- 91% of organisations used the wellbeing award to introduce new or different wellbeing initiatives.
The flexibility of the funding was highly valued, with each organisation tailoring their approach to suit its unique needs and ways of working:
- 3 in 4 survey respondents used some or all the award to support connection through away days, wellbeing retreats, and social and team building activities.
- All organisations reported improved team cohesion and relationships because of the award.
- 3 in 4 survey respondents used some or all the award for individual care work
- Over half highlighted the positive impact of the support on individual wellbeing, with access to tailored offers and personal wellbeing budgets leaving staff feeling empowered, valued, and optimistic.
- The support was credited with strengthening team dynamics and enhancing workplace culture, which in turn boosted productivity and resilience while reducing staff burnout and absences.
Current wellbeing concerns
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- The challenging social and economic environment
- Worries about funding sustainability
- Increasing demand and workload pressures
- The emotional toll of frontline work
Recommendations for funders
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- Provide long-term, ring-fenced funding for wellbeing, not just in times of crisis
- Treat wellbeing as a core cost
- Provide unrestricted multi-year grants with an annual wellbeing component
- Reflect wellbeing in funder behaviour and practice
- Offer guidance on effective and sustainable wellbeing strategies
- Provide access to wellbeing practitioners, mentoring, courses, retreats, or healthcare packages
Feedback highlights that funders’ investment in wellbeing bolsters organisational resilience, supports staff in emotionally demanding roles, and contributes to the sustainable delivery of compassionate, high-impact work. However, there is a tension between offering unrestricted and ringfenced wellbeing funding, as core funding is essential but can be hard to prioritise for wellbeing purposes.
What next for Esmée
The survey findings present several questions for us to consider:
- Should wellbeing awards be included in grant funding? Feedback highlights a conflict between unrestricted and ringfenced funding, as core funding is essential but can be hard to prioritise for wellbeing purposes.
- Who should get wellbeing support, when, and how often - by sector, work area, regularly, be prioritised, and should support be provided regularly, or only in response to specific events?
- Currently, wellbeing support is offered reactively or provided on request. How can we ensure equitable access to wellbeing support for everyone who needs it?
Next: Explore the results
The survey results including examples of wellbeing activities the grant was used for, the difference it made to people, their work, and what they need from funders.