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British Racing launches Wellbeing Survey as part of unified and strategic approach to employee welfare


21/04/2021 @ 11:00:00

British Racing has today launched a comprehensive survey – Wellbeing Across the Horseracing Industry – to help inform a strategy dedicated to the welfare of the whole of its workforce.

Running until 16 May, the survey is open to everyone working across the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, with individuals completing it also receiving a personalised wellbeing report to help improve how they feel, live and work.

The survey will for the first time enable the industry to measure and understand the wellbeing of its entire workforce, with the responses informing the ongoing work to continually improve the health and wellbeing of racing’s people.

The sport also announces today the creation of a Wellbeing Committee, comprising a significant range of expertise across its membership, as well as dedication towards improving further the overall health of the sport and its employees. It is chaired by Simon Jones, who has held numerous Executive board level positions across the NHS and wider health and care arena.

The full membership of the Wellbeing Committee is as follows:
  • Simon Jones, Chair
  • Linda Bowles, HR Director and charity trustee
  • Kay Boyden, Director of Programmes, Racing Welfare
  • Lisa Hancock, Chief Executive, Injured Jockeys Fund
  • Dr Jerry Hill, BHA Chief Medical Adviser
  • Will McConn, Sports Psychologist and joint author of the 2019 review and recommendations on mental health support in British Racing
  • Rishi Persad, Horseracing and sports broadcaster
  • Simone Sear, Director of Welfare, Racing Welfare
The Wellbeing Committee will lead an industry wide programme of work that brings together all the organisations that deliver support to the workforce. Supporting both employees and employers, the Committee’s work will ensure that ‘wellbeing’ is prioritised across all roles and responsibilities.

The Wellbeing Committee will report into the sport’s People Board, which has representation from key stakeholders and is Chaired by independent BHA director Laura Whyte. It has oversight of the range of initiatives and work across the recruitment, training and retention of British Racing’s workforce. The Members’ Committee will also receive progress reports

Across racing there is a considerable track record in supporting the needs of the industry’s workforce, past and present, with many of the current providers supporting the development of a wellbeing strategy, which was identified as a priority within British Racing’s Covid-19 recovery plan as published in summer 2020.

Dedicated wellbeing workshops for leaders across British Racing, and the completion of a comprehensive gap analysis of provision across key stakeholder bodies, are among priorities that have been delivered early in 2021.

The Racing Foundation has provided funding support in this crucial area to date, which builds on their support of the groundbreaking 2019 report, ‘A lifestyle rather than a job’: a review and recommendations on mental health support within British Racing

Wellbeing Committee Chair Simon Jones said:

“I’m delighted to have been asked to Chair British Racing’s Wellbeing Committee.

“In establishing this Committee, the BHA and the sport, working with the full range of stakeholders, has given the highest priority possible to a programme of work that puts the wellbeing of our workforce at the top of our sports agenda.

“The industry’s Wellbeing Committee will oversee the delivery of excellence in wellbeing, development and pastoral support of our people, and contribute to the continued improvement in the health of our sport.”

BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington said:

“Staff wellbeing, across the full breadth of British racing, is a priority for decision-makers in our sport and will be critical to our recovery from the pandemic, and our growth in the future.

“I wish to thank Simon and his fellow Wellbeing Committee members for their commitment to this crucial area, which will be matched at the BHA as plans and policies are developed. This is a big opportunity for all employees, in every area of our sport, to have their voices heard, and I encourage everyone to complete the survey."

Notes to editors:

1. The Wellbeing Across the Horseracing Industry Survey can be accessed here.

For more information contact:

 
Christina Sell
Project Lead: Industry Mental Health & Wellbeing, Racing Welfare
e: csell@racingwelfare.co.uk
Copyright © 2021 BHA, All rights reserved.


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