At Aster Care, we’re constantly learning how we can better support our team’s mental health and wellbeing. We recognise that caring for others can be emotionally demanding, and we want to make sure you have everything you need. That’s why we’re introducing Mental Wellness Action Plans (WAPs) for our staff.
We’ve recently signed up to the Mental Health at Work Commitment, joining over 3,500 other UK employers who are working to improve workplace mental health. It’s one way we’re showing our commitment to supporting the people who provide such dedicated care to our clients.
Our Commitment to Mental Health at Work
The Mental Health at Work Commitment provides a framework built on six key standards that help guide how we approach workplace wellbeing. These standards focus on prioritising and promoting an open culture around mental health, and providing practical tools and support. WAPs are one of these tools. We also ask employees to complete a One-Page Profile Sheet. These help us understand more about their needs and how we might support them.
We’re trying to be more proactive about mental health rather than only stepping in when problems arise. We want to create an environment where every team member feels valued, although we know we’re still learning and that there’s always room for improvement.
What Are Wellness Action Plans (WAPs)?
A Wellness Action Plan is a personalised document that you create with your manager to identify what keeps you mentally healthy at work, what might cause you stress, and how we can best support you. Think of it as a roadmap for your wellbeing.
WAPs are designed to prevent problems before they start. They’re inspired by Mary Ellen Copeland’s Wellness Recovery Action Plan® (WRAP®), which is a well-established system used worldwide to help people manage their mental health and provides practical tools for wellbeing management.
Why WAPs Matter for Care Workers
Working in care can be emotionally demanding. You’re assisting vulnerable people through difficult times, often working independently, and dealing with situations that can take an emotional toll. WAPs recognise these unique challenges and help you develop strategies to stay resilient.
Your WAP puts you in the driver’s seat of your mental health support. You decide what information to share, what adjustments might help, and how you prefer to communicate with your manager about your wellbeing. This builds confidence in managing your own mental health whilst ensuring you get the support you need.
It also creates transparency about what works for you, helping your manager understand how to help you effectively whilst holding us accountable for providing for your needs.
How WAPs Promote an Open Culture
One of the challenges we all face is that mental health can still feel like a difficult topic to discuss. WAPs help make these conversations more normal and comfortable by building them into how we work together, rather than something that only happens when there’s a problem.
These plans create a space where you can be open about your needs without worry. They encourage regular conversations between you and your manager, which we hope will build better understanding and trust over time.
When mental health becomes something we can talk about openly, it stops being a source of anxiety and becomes what it should be – a natural part of looking after ourselves and each other.
Implementation at Aster Care
We’re introducing WAPs gradually and thoughtfully.
All new starters can request to complete these WAPs as part of their induction process, helping them settle in from the start. For existing team members, you can request these WAPs during your regular appraisals, so everyone has the opportunity to create their plan.
Your WAP remains confidential between you and your manager, and you only share what you’re comfortable with. In some cases, you might choose to have a copy held with HR as part of your arrangements, but this is entirely your choice. We’ve put data protection measures in place to ensure your information stays secure and is only used to support your wellbeing.
This approach means mental health support becomes part of how we work together, rather than something separate or optional.
Real-World Applications in Care Work
WAPs are particularly valuable in care work because they can address the specific challenges you face. Whether it’s managing the emotional impact of helping clients through difficult times, finding the right balance between working independently and staying connected with the team, or identifying reasonable adjustments that help you perform at your best, your WAP can cover it all.
Perhaps you work better with regular check-ins, or maybe you need quiet time to decompress after challenging visits. Your WAP might include flexible working patterns to help you manage medication side effects, or adjustments to your workload during particularly stressful periods. Under the Equality Act 2010, we have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for staff with disabilities, but we’re committed to considering adjustments for all team members.
The key is that these adjustments are planned and agreed in advance, so everyone knows what support is available when you need it.
Going Forward
Your WAP is your plan, created by you, for you. It’s a chance to think about what you need to stay well at work and to have honest conversations about how we can support you better. We hope it will make a real difference to how you feel at work.
We’re working together to build a workplace where mental health is valued, because when our team feels well and supported, it benefits everyone, including the people we care for.
Interested in working for a company that puts mental health first? Look at our careers page.