Affinity Health at Work

Founded in 2006, Affinity Health at Work is a multi-award-winning research and consultancy organisation specialising in workplace health, wellbeing and performance.

We combine academic expertise with practical, real-world solutions to help organisations create healthier, more sustainable work. Led by Professor Jo Yarker and Dr Rachel Lewis (Birkbeck, University of London), our work is grounded in robust evidence and trusted by organisations across the public, private and third sectors, including CIPD, Acas and the HSE.

Our mission is simple: to improve the working lives of all.

What we do
We bring together research, consultancy and professional development to help organisations move beyond good intentions to meaningful, lasting change.

Consultancy
We work with organisations to understand their challenges and implement practical, evidence-based solutions that improve wellbeing and performance.

Our work typically includes:

Diagnostics and insight – 

·      Wellbeing Maturity and Provision reviews
·      Affinity Psychosocial (Stress) Risk Assessment
·      Data, Governance and Policy Review
·      Wellbeing Professionals Framework Competency Profiles
·      Affinity Absence Management Review
·      External Framework Mapping (e.g. ISO 45003, IGLOO)

 Interventions and solutions – 

·      Manager Training (e.g. stress prevention, leading well, managing absence, addressing harmful behaviour, having difficult conversations)
·     Wellbeing and Mental Health Training for Employees
·     Multi-Topic Webinars
·     Coaching (wellbeing, return to work, senior leaders)     
·     Mediation and team based interventions    
·     Wellbeing Champions CPD Programme
·     Stress Management Competencies (including 180 feedback)
·     Leading wellbeing through change training
·     Wellbeing Strategy,  Policy and Framework Development
·     Wellbeing Framework Development
·     Return-to-work toolkits

Research – We partner with organisations, policymakers and academic to generate insight, evaluate impact and translate evidence into practical tools and guidance.

Professional Development – We share evidence and learning to support health and wellbeing professionals to create healthier, more productive workplaces. 

Services

Case studies

Wellbeing Review And Psychosocial Risk Assessment For Eurotunnel To help Eurotunnel meet their legal risk assessment requirements, better understand their risk and support future action and policy development, Affinity Health at Work conducted a risk assessment survey and local listening sessions. Findings from the survey and listening sessions informed prioritised, targeted actions to allow Eurotunnel to better support the wellbeing of their employees.
Developing The Roadmap For A Nationwide Wellbeing Strategy The wellbeing journey for Flutter UK&I began with a Working Well Maturity Assessment in which we reviewed Flutter UK&I documents, data, processes and practices, as well as gathered insights from site visits and 30+ stakeholder and employee interviews across our Head Office and Retail Estate. The data was synthesised and we delivered recommendations and action planning to support Flutter UK&I with their wellbeing strategy. As a result of the insights from the Maturity Assessment, Affinity have carried out 14 interviews and 26 focus groups, surveyed 213 people, reviewed 315 data points, 75 documents and delivered bespoke wellbeing interventions across 10 business areas in Flutter UK&I which have positively impacted the wellbeing of an estimated 400 people, with extensive plans for further work in place.
A Bespoke Training Programme For Operational Managers Aimed At Addressing And Mitigating Harmful Behaviour As a result of a review into psychosocial risk within the Australian branch of a subsea engineering organisation, a potential risk of harmful behaviour, particularly within the offshore population, was identified. Following this, Affinity was contracted (through International SOS) to undertake a further project to better understand the causes and experiences of harmful behaviour.
‘Be the Change’ Change Readiness Programme Like many local authorities, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have been experiencing perpetual change to working practices, advancing technologies, and increasing work with a complex, uncertain external environment. This has led to fear, unease, and vulnerability in employees. Change was perceived as constant, and the fear and unease caused made employees resistant to change. This resistance to change inhibited progression for both the organization and the communities which they serve. As part of our ongoing relationship with Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, conversations were had on how we could support employees given the perpetual change that they faced as a Local Authority.

Whitepaper & Reports

The Professional Framework for Workplace Wellbeing Designed for wellbeing professionals through a seven-stage research process, the Professional Framework for Workplace Wellbeing defines what credible, effective and ethical practice looks like — across disciplines and across career stages. It provides the first multi-disciplinary, integrated evidence-informed foundation for the profession.

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SuperWellness Ltd

Associate Member

Affinity Health at Work