WELLBEING PROGRAMME
We understand – and appreciate – the value of promoting the health, happiness and
confidence of our staff here at the British Library. Our WellBeing programme looks to
achieve this. As well as caring for our people’s physical safety at work, we seek to
ensure they have access to healthy living and eating options, as well as a range of
activities to promote physical and mental well-being.
We also provide staff with round-the-clock access to an Employee Assistance programme,
providing independent advice and counselling on a wide range of issues. Access to the
Benenden Health Society and details of a BUPA discount for staff are also readily available.
Many aspects of working life can influence well-being, and here at the British Library,
we believe that working is good for you in more ways than one. This can range from the
physical environment, to social life at work, relationships with colleagues, working structures
and arrangements and, finally, the health services that are available to you.
Classes, massage, osteopathy and gyms
Boston Spa hosts Reiki and Alexander technique classes while St Pancras runs Tai Chi
and yoga classes as well as providing on-site osteopathy and Japanese Acupressure
massage. Subsidised gym memberships are also available to all our staff.
Health events and flu vaccinations
In addition, we offer free annual flu vaccinations for all members of staff and annual
Health Events Days where staff can receive on-site lifestyle and health guidance and
assessments. Some stations at the Health Event Days include:
Blood pressure testing Nutrition guidance Glucose assessments
Stress management Radiography diagnosis and X-rays
Nutrition
We have teamed up with our on-site catering company,
to provide subsidised balanced meals created from organic,
fair trade ingredients. In addition to this,
we offer nutritional guidance through our Employee
Assistance programme.
Development of the WellBeing
programme
Our programme is constantly evolving. Just a few things
we’re planning include drawing and cooking classes, pilates
and Indian head massage, community volunteering and
bicycle and recycling workshops.
All our people can keep up to date on what’s on via internal
notice-boards and the WellBeing programme pages on
the intranet.
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
The British Library provides all employees with free access to an employee assistance
programme via a company called Validium. This is a confidential service run on behalf of the
British Library. Employees may contact Validium – as many times as needed – on a whole range
of financial, legal, and psychological issues. From care for the elderly or children, to stress,
medical and domestic issues, all discussions and sessions will be treated as strictly confidential.
When in need of third party confidential support, we encourage staff to regard the EAP as
a first resort. We want them to use it as soon as needed, rather than after trying to cope
or to use other avenues. Validium’s telephone counselling service is available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. On-site clinics are held weekly at both our Boston Spa and St
Pancras locations.
Our employees’ spouses, live-in partners and dependent children between the ages of 16
and 23 are also entitled to use Validium’s counselling services.
Health and care benefits
The Civil Service Benevolent Fund
The Civil Service Benevolent Fund is an occupational benevolent fund that aides staff of
public sector organisations in a variety of ways as outlined below. Employees of the British
Library and their dependents are entitled to apply for help whenever they need it – even
after they have left the Library.
The The Civil Service Benevolent Fund offers:
Financial assistance
This can take the form of repayable and non-repayable grants and allowances to suit a
range of circumstances.
The Fund can provide practical help in addressing debt problems and can sometimes provide a
financial “breathing space”, especially when children and elderly family members are involved.
This might be when a member of staff goes onto reduced pay as a result of extended illness,
when the disability of a family member causes higher than expected expenditure, or even when
a family bereavement or a relationship breakdown occurs.
Support is dependent on circumstances and may include such things as, the costs of community
support services, childcare or equipment to help cope with disabilities. Before offering financial
assistance, the Fund will make a sensitive and confidential assessment of the individual’s financial
circumstances that is conducted in a very sensitive and confidential manner.
Care placement advisory service
The Fund can provide information, advice and support in finding suitable short, medium,
and long term care options.
If an employee, or a member of their family, needs to find out about suitable care options,
the Fund can offer help by way of information, advice and sometimes financial contribution
towards the costs. Through the Fund, our employees can be put in touch with the managers
of homes, provided with the contact details of voluntary organisations or be given the details
of local childcare or self-help groups. Advice can also be given about funding options and
local authority responsibilities.
Information and advice covering a wide range of subjects
Our employees can obtain information and advice from the Fund’s dedicated staff on a wide
range of issues:
For those on a low income, the Fund can help maximise benefits
For those with mobility problems, advice can be given on appropriate support
and equipment
Those with a disability can be put in touch with organisations who offer help and support
Those with debts will receive financial advice on how to manage them and be put
in touch with agencies that can help.
Benenden Healthcare Society
The Benenden Healthcare Society is a not-for-profit organisation which complements NHS
treatment and whose membership is only open to public servants and which employees of
the British Library are eligible to join. Benenden’s benefits are charged at a flat rate of £1.10
per person per week. After six months of membership, our employees are able to make use
of their services which include:
Diagnostic consultations for any condition
Help towards the cost of diagnostic tests
General surgery and medical treatment (not cancer, orthopaedic or cardiac)
Cancer care support service
Health concern advice line
Discounts on health club memberships and health screening
If any of our employees are eligible for general surgery under Beneden’s care, then this
would generally be made quickly available at one of twelve regional surgical centres. There
are no exclusions based on previous or existing medical conditions and once someone
becomes a member they remain one for life, regardless of occupation.
Visit the Benenden website at www.benenden-healthcare.org.uk for more information.
BUPA Care services
BUPA is a private healthcare service that is available to employees of the British Library and
their families at a 45% discount. Bupa Care provides health treatment including diagnostic
tests, consultations with specialists, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and psychiatric treatment
at hospitals in the national network of BUPA participating hospitals.
HealthShield
HealthShield offers a cash benefits healthcare scheme which meets everything from dental to
Hopi ear candles costs. There are five different combinations of cover available, including cover
for the individual, and cover for the individual and their partner. Our employees not only get
a discount with HealthShield, but they also have the 13-week qualifying period waived.
When our people visit the dentist, optician or physiotherapist, HealthShield can cover them for
up to a 100% refund. Alternative therapies, including the chiropractor, homeopathy and
acupuncture are also covered.