Feb 2018 – Aster Group Sign the Time to Change Pledge

Time to Change was a social movement run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, to support its wider commitment to tackling mental health. By joining the movement, Aster has committed to help its people and ensure everyone can be open and honest about mental health.

In the first 12 months we:

• Included MH training in the new onboarding programme for new starters
• Recruited 73 MHFA including 27 male (to support men’s mental health)
• Created Mental Health 2hr Awareness sessions held across the regions for all colleagues
• Created Mental Health ½ day training sessions for managers and supervisors.

Jan 2019 – menopause work starts

Menopause awareness sessions are rolleld out across the regions including a women only lunchtime session and leader awareness session.

Jan 2020 – Wellbeing on Tour

• Mental health sessions
• Pause for Men – men only menopause sessions
• Menopause awareness sessions
• Health kiosk
• Reiki sessions
• Reflexology sessions
• Desk massage
• Testicular cancer awareness ball pit
• Smoothie bike and happy café with healthy breakfast options
• Financial wellbeing session – what do you want on the offer.

Mar 2020 - Winner of Best Mental Wellbeing Strategy

(1,000-5,000 staff) REBA Employee Wellbeing Awards

Apr 2020 – Dec 2021– Covid Response

• Switched all face to face mental health training to online
• Used MHFAs to make weekly calls to furloughed colleagues and signpost to EAP support, bespoke COVID live webinars by Dorset MIND and ways to stay connected
• Created 6 month targeted wellbeing programmes designed to ‘keep well and feel connected’, ‘working well from home and on the frontline’, ‘Reconnect & Rebalance’ with a range of live webinars, social groups, information and initiatives.

April 2020 – flexible leave introduced across the business following successful ‘take what you need’ leave trials

• Colleagues given more flexibility
• The need to buy leave removed.

September 2020 – peer-to-peer recognition approach and leader recognition budget introduced

• Launch of a recognition platform
• Budget introduced for leaders following feedback from colleague survey.

Jan 2021 – THRIVE mental health app launch

Free access to all colleague to access the only NHS approved app to manage mental heath and access relaxation techniques, mindfulness and CBT sessions

July 2021 – Menopause Friendly Accreditation

• One of the first 3 UK businesses to achieve accreditation
• Hot Topic community created
• Monthly Sofa Sessions to talk menopause
• eLearning launched / partnership with MenoHealth to deliver menopause programmes.

April 2021 – pay framework implemented and colleagues increased to market median

• Market data used to inform pay decisions
• Investment in colleagues below market rate
• Colleagues able to consolidate car allowances to boost pensionable pay.

October 2021 - Highly commended for Enhancing Wellbeing & Belonging at Work Award for Covid19 response

ENEI Inclusivity Excellence Awards 2021

November 2021 - Shortlisted for Best Covid Response in the Personnel Awards

November 2021 – PLUMM Health Platform Launch

• Free access to video counselling and therapy sessions
• Access to a chat therapist
• Library of recorded sessions by therapist on a range of topics to self serve
• Meditation and soundscape library
• Monthly live webinars.

March 2022 - Shortlisted for Best Covid Response in Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards

April 2022 – New Health and Wellbeing Hub created

• Bringing together sickness absence management (HR function) with Health and Wellbeing work
• Refreshed approach that focuses on keeping colleagues well and in work
• Getting support to colleagues who are unwell much earlier
• Coaching leaders to proactively support their teams and manage absences.

April 2022 – 3.8% pay award

• The highest percentage increase awarded since 2012
• Awarded in recognition of heightened external costs.

April 2022 – alternative pension scheme Aegon introduced

Giving colleagues investment choice and fund flexibility at retirement.

Jun 2022 - Winner of Best Benefits to Support Menopause, Fertility or Pregnancy at Employee Benefits Awards

Sept 2022 – Winner of Best Support Group in the Menopause Friendly Awards

October 2022 – life assurance cover extended

• Previously colleagues only in a pension scheme were covered
• Now includes colleagues not in a pension who are under the age of 75.

November 2022 – winter payment of £1,500 awarded to all

• Largest one-off payment to all colleagues in light of cost of living increases
• Increased focus on money saving tips and resources in our communications.

December 2022 – Personalised free perks with Perkbox launched

• A choice of free perks to choose from instead of set perks
• Greater flexibility for colleagues.