Over 1000 engineers have signed up to a new digital Wellbeing Hub since it was launched in March 2021, engineering charity Foothold is proud to announce.

The hub, which is being funded through a collaboration with Gattaca PLC, offers free, clinically approved resources, advice and guidance for engineers and their families, on topics such as depression, stress and anxiety, financial issues, physical health and substance abuse.

It forms part of Foothold’s expanding digital support for the engineering community, which also includes free monthly webinars, the Foothold app, and monthly blogs by engineering and wellbeing experts.

“We’re delighted that more than 1000 engineers around the world signed up to access our free Wellbeing Hub within the 12 months since it was launched. We developed the hub in response to a 40% rise in requests for mental health support in the last six months of 2020, with the aim of supporting as many people as possible within the engineering community to increase resilience to life’s challenges.

The fact that so many people have chosen to improve their wellbeing by accessing the hub shows what a valuable resource it is for ensuring they can continue to thrive, no matter what life throws at them. We’d like to once again thank Gattaca for their generous support which helped to make the hub a reality for engineers around the world,” said Foothold Chief Executive Officer, Jane Petit.

“What an incredible milestone it is to have been able to help over 1000 engineers and their families through our collaboration with Foothold.

When we initially began fundraising for the Wellbeing Hub, it was in response to rising calls for mental health support during the pandemic. Now, as we begin to return to normal, the key message remains: mental health is just as important as maintaining your physical health. We are glad this vital resource will continue to benefit our community long into the future,” commented Matthew Wragg, Chief Executive Officer at Gattaca.

To further strengthen the collaboration between Foothold and Gattaca and deliver on the shared objective to improve the wellbeing of the engineering community, the charity has partnered with therapist and coach Andy Thornton of Blue Sofa Therapy to offer free therapy sessions for Gattaca staff. So far, 25 individual sessions have been donated.

“We’re proud to be working with Gattaca and Blue Sofa Therapy to bring wellbeing support and expertise to the engineering community whilst also empowering Gattaca’s staff to look after their own wellbeing.

We’d like to thank Andy at Blue Sofa Therapy for his involvement in this project and look forward to how our collaboration with Gattaca will continue to develop over the coming years,” added Gemma Timmis, Foothold’s Fundraising and Marketing Officer who oversees the charity’s collaborations with businesses.

“I’m delighted to be able to support Foothold and Gattaca in this way. Looking after our mental wellbeing is so important and something that so many people neglect. These sessions offer people the opportunity to discuss and explore thoughts, worries or issues in a safe, non-judgmental way. For me it’s great to be able to make even a small difference in someone’s life,” Andy Thornton commented.

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