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Thursday 8 Sep 2022

Professor Green, Gail Porter, Simon Weston, Paul McKenna and Tracey Cox are amongst the star line-up for Rail Wellbeing Live 2022

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National

• Registration has opened for the biggest free wellbeing event, Rail Wellbeing Live, for the rail industry which returns on 2 to 3 November
• More than 60 speakers and 50 pick ‘n’ mix sessions to choose from
• New for 2022: Networking area for those who have an interest in good mental health. Whether you’re a Metal Health First Aider, Wellbeing Champion or just someone who care

This year musician Professor Green, TV personality Gail Porter, war veteran Simon Weston CBE, hypnotist Paul McKenna, and author Tracey Cox are among the list of celebrity speakers joining wellbeing experts on Wednesday 2 November and Thursday 3 November at Rail Wellbeing Live.

Rail Wellbeing Live is the brainchild of the Rail Wellbeing Alliance, a cross-industry rail group, made up of train operating companies, suppliers, and industry bodies. The free two-day online event offers everyone in the rail industry the opportunity to come together and connect with industry and high-profile speakers to get inspiration, tips and guidance on how to tackle a wide range of health and wellbeing issues.

Following the huge success of the event, and third year running, the rail industry's largest free health and wellbeing event returns online on 2 to 3 November and is set to be even bigger and better. Like last year, it will be open to Britain’s 240,000-strong rail workforce for free, where results revealed that rail employees experienced 1.5 times higher rate of anxiety compared to the rates seen in the general population.

Results from an RSSB cross industry mental health survey of rail employees suggest that:

• Ill health in the rail industry is estimated to cost £2,157 per employee per year
• More than one in three rail workers may meet the criteria for a mental health condition
• 10% of participants reported symptoms consistent with a post-traumatic stress disorder, which is over twice that seen in the general population
• Employees were six times more likely to be absent due to a health problem caused or made worse by work, than a workplace accident.

John Halsall, chair of the Rail Wellbeing Alliance and managing director for Network Rail’s Southern Region, said: “The aim of the two days isn’t to say to go to the gym three hours a day, but more if you dial this up, dial that down, do that a little bit different and you will be happier. As well as the impact on the individual, it also saves the organisation a lot of money as sickness costs businesses a fortune, so why not invest in health and wellbeing and stop those things from occurring”

“We often talk about health and safety on the railway, but what we really mean is “safety”. We haven’t got to the point where we say that health and wellbeing is more important, even though by any metric you care to measure these things by, improving wellbeing will result in staff taking less time off work and often being happier as well. For employers there is a compelling reason for investing in health and wellbeing initiatives and the underlying point for me is that a happy workforce is an efficient and a hardworking workforce.”

“So, it doesn’t matter where you work in the rail industry, so long as you have a mobile device or access to a computer, you can join us 2 to 3 November and we really hope you do. All the content is free, so please spread the word as we’d like as many people to benefit from this event as possible.”

Like last year, Rail Wellbeing Live 2022 will address all aspects of health and wellbeing in an engaging, fun way. Simon Weston, a Welsh veteran of the British Army who is known for his charity work and recovery from severe burn injuries suffered during the Falklands War, will be talking about finding opportunity in adversity. Scottish television personality, former model and actress, Gail Porter will discuss her experience of mental health illness, ups and downs of her career, and how she deals with reoccurring bouts of depression. This year there will be sessions in the evening which will cover a healthy cook-along, nutrition for night shifts and mental health.

The event has four themes, each with their own speakers, covering: inspirational health and wellbeing talks to inspire your wellbeing journey; sessions for managers and leaders to set the foundation for a healthy workplace; practical sessions where you can learn how to improve your physical and mental health; and interactive sessions with favourites such as yoga, pilates and boxing.

Everyone who registers for the event at www.rwl22.co.uk before 30 September will be entered into a prize draw and given the chance to nominate a colleague or a team for a Wellbeing Hero / Heroes Award. The winners of the awards will be announced at the event and it’s time these remarkable individuals and teams are recognised, celebrated, and honoured for their exceptional efforts.

Dr Edward Bebb, Head of Health and Wellbeing at RSSB said: ‘The health and wellbeing of rail workers is fundamental to our collective success. Rail Wellbeing Live is a great opportunity for the whole industry to share in this effort to improve health and wellbeing in the rail industry.’

Attendees can also take part in activities like desk & chair yoga, Sophrology, dance aerobics and breathwork. Other speakers over the two days include life coach and business strategist Simon Alexander Ong and Medical expert that features in Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies Dr Anand Patel, plus Clinical Psychologist & Author Dr Julie Smith.

All the content over the two days will be live streamed and available 24/7 for two weeks after the event, but you need to register to be able to access it. Visit www.rwl22.co.uk

ENDS