NABS has launched a new platform dedicated to helping the industry sustain its wellbeing during the pandemic and well into the future. Called the
Knowledge Hub, the platform - hosted on NABS’ website - brings together a wide range of support and advice materials on all aspects of wellbeing during the crisis.
In the first quarter of 2020 NABS saw an increase in calls to its Advice Line rise by 41%. In the first three weeks of April alone, the number of calls they received increased by 53% and they saw a 42% surge in requests for financial support. In a recent industry wellbeing poll, 65% of people said they were struggling with anxiety as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and 60% of people were missing rapport with colleagues. 37% said they were struggling with the new pressure of online presenteeism – with 35% citing long virtual video conferencing meetings as a stressor and 45% were finding it difficult to set boundaries around working hours.
Content on the Knowledge Hub will be regularly refreshed in response to the results of NABS’ frontline services trends and insight gathered from its wellbeing poll. Its free resources currently include an easy-to-follow guide to furloughing, advice for managing anxiety, guidance on financial management and quick tips on building rapport whilst working at home and avoiding online presenteeism. The content is authored by experts from across NABS’ services team, ensuring that the advice given is grounded in cutting-edge expertise.
The Knowledge Hub will continue to exist post-coronavirus to enable people to access NABS’ services and expert content online. The platform is the first innovation to emerge out of NABS’ new strategy, which will see the organisation transform and digitise many of its services in order to support the industry into the future.
Resources on the Knowledge Hub span the elements of wellbeing identified in NABS’ bespoke model for wellbeing, SHEPARD, ensuring that all aspects of emotional health are supported. Nicky Harris, director of strategy and development at NABS, says: “At a time when the industry is having to focus on the immediate business challenges, here at NABS we’re working hard to ensure we support our industry’s mental health and wellbeing, so we can all look to a much brighter future. The NABS Knowledge Hub will ensure we can offer people the support they need in new digital formats at a time that works for them - a further compliment to the existing NABS offer.”