This month, venuefinder’s roving reporter de-stresses at the Royal Horticultural Halls, gets the tissues out for the Charity Film Awards and assesses the mental health impact of the events industry.
De-Stress Fest at Lindley Hall
The Royal Horticultural Halls’ Lindley Hall was transformed into an oasis of calm earlier this month for the inaugural De-Stress Fest, aimed at people working in the events industry.
Feature areas included the Herbal Wellbeing Garden, a Spa Pool area, plus treatment rooms offering more than 140 sessions that ranged from head and shoulder massage to ground-breaking brain-calming techniques.
The do Terra Aromatherapy Lounge created a calming area scented with a peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus and laurel for respiratory health. Event planners could learn how essential oils can reduce stress, boost the immune system and how they can be best used in the workplace and at events.
Lorraine Thorne, Royal Horticultural Halls venue sales manager said: “Guests were amazed at the relaxed nature of the venue. People loved the flowing nature of the festival and many commented that it was unlike anything they’d ever been to with a garden, pool area, treatment rooms and presentation stage all in one space.”
De-Stress Fest was created by the team at Royal Horticultural Halls after Stress Matters research cited the role of event coordinator as the fifth most stressful job.
Charity Film Awards at etc.venues 133 Houndsditch
UK charities came together at etc.venues 133 Houndsditch to celebrate films used in fundraising, and campaigning at the annual Charity Film Awards.
Some 400 charities entered the awards. The winners were chosen by a combination of 500,000 public votes and a panel of judges including David Eades, BBC journalist and newsreader, Philip Collins, journalist and speechwriter at The Times, and Georgina Lewis, head of marketing at the FA.
Child Bereavement UK was the overall victor, winning the Charity Film of the Year for its short entitled, One More Minute. Meanwhile, Cats Protection won The People’s Choice Award.
Guests gathered in the 700-capacity conference suite for the ceremony, hosted by actor and comedian, Sally Phillips. Popcorn, tissues and bags of sweets on every table accompanied heartfelt highlights from the winning films.
Mental Health Awareness Week at Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week (13th-19th May), the HBAA hosted an event at Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum (pictured) aimed at discussing mental health in the events and hospitality sector.
Talks from companies including Pinpoint Events, Boulevard Events and the Samaritans dealt with topics including spotting the signs of stress, the science of good mental health and the stigma surrounding male mental health.
EventWell research has in the past found that 15% of events professionals do not feel able to ask for help in dealing with stress - even though they want to. A further 38% do not even want to ask for help.
Spotting the signs of stress and having processes in place to support event planners are important for both the industry’s wellbeing, plus talent retention and development.
By Mike Fletcher