We can all experience feelings of loneliness, and experiences of loneliness can differ. Loneliness is the feeling we experience when there is a mismatch between the social connections we have and those that we need or want. That means it can be different for all of us.

This week, Optimised is raising awareness internally through daily internal campaigns and partnering with EDP Training for a special Mental Health Awareness webinar. We’re working hard to ensure that we invest in mental health and provide a safe and supportive working environment for all of our team. We are committed to developing a dedicated Wellbeing Strategy in order to prioritise mental health in our workplace, increase awareness, provide the necessary tools and support and to proactively monitor and review how our team are doing. We can only make progress on loneliness together.

"A simple smile, hello and thank you can go a long way and as I’m someone that benefits hugely from that recognition myself and have felt the effects of loneliness, I always try to ensure I lead by example and then hopefully it has a ripple effect. I want to create an environment where everybody feels like a somebody, everyone’s equal and our focus is on health, safety and wellbeing."

Emily, HR Manager

"I aim to forge and promote meaningful connections with my colleagues to provide opportunities for us all to be understood as individuals who are unique, valued and accepted. Like many people, It really is the little things that matter for me. A simple and short message exchange checking in with a colleague can make the difference in feeling valued and connected."

Ria, Compliance Manager