NABS Reveals Increase in Service Uptake During 2018

NABS, the support organisation for the advertising and media industry, reveals today (January 29th) that in 2018 more than 3,200 people used its services in 2018 (comprising its Advice line, coaching, masterclasses and talks).

 

What’s more, there were more than 8,000 interactions with all of NABS’ services, talks and events, including fundraising events.

 

Although NABS continues to aid people across industry who are in crisis, the figures also reveal NABS’ well-received and growing emphasis on constructive crisis prevention. Attendance at its masterclasses increased by a huge 44% last year, with many people attending looking to develop the skills they need to look after their own wellbeing and that of their team members.

 

Overwhelmingly positive feedback from the sessions demonstrates their clear impact. In total 91% said that they had developed new ways of thinking and behaving, while 80% left feeling more confident and 77% felt better able to cope with challenges.

 

Meanwhile, NABS’ work with people needing assistance in distress continues to increase. One in three callers are seeking emotional support, with the majority of these specifically with mental health-related issues. Calls to the line overall have risen by 27%.

 

The figures will be shared at NABS’ President’s Breakfast, the organisation’s annual stakeholder event where its senior leaders share news from the past year, as well as insights into what’s to come in 2019.

 

Diana Tickell, CEO of NABS, says: “The breadth of issues we help with is extraordinary, from ill health and homelessness to domestic violence: anything that can affect an individual’s wellbeing and ability to thrive.

 

“The pressures of our constantly changing industry are here to stay, which is why we’re focused on providing practical and empowering solutions to help people thrive throughout their working life.

 

Richard Bon, chief revenue officer at Clear Channel UK, has seen many of his staff use NABS’ services. He says: “Clear Channel UK have proudly supported NABS for many years. Our staff continue to enjoy and materially benefit from the impressively diverse range of NABS events and resources available to them. We look forward to being part of NABS’ community for many years to come.”

 

NABS will also release its first-ever zine at the President’s Breakfast, entitled ‘How’s work?’ The zine, co-created with the creative agency Fold7, encourages people working across the industry to consider how work is for them and to open up the conversation around wellness and diversity.

 

A key initiative for 2019 will also be announced at the President’s Breakfast: WellFest, a one-day conference focused on NABS’ approach to wellbeing. The event’s carefully curated sessions will look at the results of NABS’ research into the state of the industry while also offering practical ways for people to thrive at work and at home.

 

The conference will be underpinned by NABS’ bespoke model for wellbeing, SHEPARD. SHEPARD is an evidence-based model, grounded in neuroscience, that uses seven characteristics of wellbeing to help people better understand how they are feeling.