A McDonald’s franchise has become the first to launch a mental wellbeing programme for employees in the UK.
The Fishponds, Bristol branch, which has around 110 staff members, introduced Move-Assure as a free employee benefit to the workforce.
Centred around movement and dance, the programme was founded by Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Darcey Bussell, along with Dr Peter Lovatt and Lindsey Lovatt, to help people look after their mental health.
McDonald’s franchisee Laura Wilder, who owns and operates McDonald’s Fishponds, hosted the Strictly star at the restaurant to celebrate the launch of the scheme.
At the event, Busell took staff through the routines offered as part of the programme, and they were also given an introduction to the course and the health benefits it offers.
Wlider said: “I am so proud to be the first UK franchisee to offer the Move-Assure programme as a free benefit to my employees.
“Offering practical advice and activities to help develop their resilience around mental wellbeing is so important with the current rise of mental health issues. I want to ensure that my staff feel most supported and hope that the programme is one solution for that.”
The programme consists of dance-based sessions led by Dame Darcey Bussell, a mental wellbeing quiz/assessment, weekly wellbeing tips, a mental wellbeing toolkit and a weekly mental wellbeing coaching group programme.
Alongside the new mental health support offered at the franchise, staff also have access to a range of employee benefits, including sick pay, holiday pay and discounts at more than 1,600 retailers.
According to McDonald’s, all workers, including hourly-paid staff, earn more than the national minimum wage.
