Wellbeing for Every Workplace: From Creative Studios to Country Estates

In every industry, from tourism to the creative sector, workplace wellbeing has evolved from a “nice-to-have” into a vital part of business success. Whether a company employs ten people or two hundred, the same principle applies: when teams feel supported, connected, and valued, they perform better, stay safer, and help the organisation thrive.

Two recent journeys through British Safety Council’s Workplace Wellbeing Programme, one from the Lake District’s tourism sector and another from a creative SME in the south of England, show how wellbeing can take root in very different workplaces. Their experiences highlight a shared truth: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to employee wellbeing, but there is a clear path toward building a culture of care.

Lake District Estates is a family-owned business with holiday parks, a marina, and some of the region’s most loved visitor attractions. Despite its success, wellbeing was not a regular topic of conversation across its 200-strong workforce.

That changed in 2023 when Lake District Estates joined the Workplace Wellbeing Programme. Working closely with British Safety Council, the company carried out a wellbeing survey that revealed opportunities to strengthen communication and community across its many sites. In response, Lake District Estates launched an internal intranet designed to bring people together, celebrate achievements, and make wellbeing resources accessible 24/7.

“Prior to working with British Safety Council there was no real structure to our plans,” said Bethanie West, People and Support Services Coordinator. “We have now created a strategy and developed a more positive wellbeing culture. The support we have received has given us the confidence to start more conversations around mental health and wellbeing, something we would have previously struggled to navigate.”

The result is a connected, more confident organisation where wellbeing is embedded into everyday operations and communication has become a key driver of workplace culture.

At the other end of the spectrum, a small arts-sector business of around ten employees joined the same programme with a different goal: to build on its already open, flexible culture and give wellbeing a clearer framework.

Through surveys, focus groups, and ongoing coaching, the leadership team explored sensitive topics such as workload, stress, and resilience. One major insight emerged: employee stress was closely tied to how client expectations were set. Addressing that issue led to meaningful improvements in workload balance and communication.

The company’s 2025 wellbeing strategy now focuses on workload management, staff training, and a stronger culture of praise and recognition. Even early results show rising positivity and engagement levels.

This case demonstrates that small, close-knit teams can still benefit from structured wellbeing support. Workplace wellbeing is not just about solving problems; it is about continuously shaping a healthy, resilient environment where people can thrive.

Both organisations discovered that building a healthy, safe, and sustainable workplace culture starts with listening and leadership:

• Leadership commitment turns wellbeing from an initiative into a mindset.

• Data and dialogue through surveys and focus groups reveal what employees truly need.

• Tailored strategies ensure actions fit the organisation’s size, structure, and culture.

• Communication and recognition build belonging and morale.

Crucially, workplace wellbeing and safety go hand in hand. When employees feel psychologically safe to speak up, they are more likely to engage with health and safety practices, report concerns, and support one another.

From the sweeping landscapes of the Lake District to the buzzing creativity of a small studio, the message is clear: wellbeing can and should adapt to every workplace. What matters most is taking that first step, assessing where you are, listening to your people, and building a plan that fits.

British Safety Council’s Workplace Wellbeing Programme gives organisations the tools and resources to create a sustainable wellbeing strategy. Through its self-assessment tools, you can map out what your organisation needs to do to achieve best practice in workplace wellbeing. It also helps capture employees’ perceptions of how well their wellbeing needs are met and compare this with senior leadership perspectives. This insight provides a foundation for creating a wellbeing strategy that truly reflects the needs of your organisation and your people.

These tools and resources are designed to help you optimise your existing resources, embedding wellbeing into your organisational culture so that it becomes part of everyday practice. They enable you to understand the wellbeing support your employees most value and evaluate the effectiveness of your current provision, helping you save money while ensuring your investment delivers meaningful impact.

British Safety Council’s Workplace Wellbeing Programme supports organisations of all sizes to turn good intentions into measurable progress and ensure that every employee feels supported, safe, and heard.

Learn more about how the Workplace Wellbeing Programme can help your organisation create a culture where everyone can thrive.

New offer – UK members with less than 250 staff can now access our Workplace Wellbeing programme for 12-months, at no additional cost as part of their membership. Learn more about membership.