I have a confession to make. I have stalked Westfield Health for the last three years. I’m local to Sheffield so have always known of them and, I felt they would be a perfect partner in trying to achieve my aim of helping people to sleep better. So, why do I think we’re going to make a great team?
Firstly, there’s the cultural fit. Westfield Health are committed to helping people improve their health and wellbeing. Their work with the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) and the 3Rings plug, for example, shows they have a desire to be involved with products and services that look to improve people’s quality of life and help them to live healthier and longer lives. The fact they are a charitable trust and donate hundreds of thousands of pounds to charities every year sets them apart from your usual corporate entity. I work closely with The Children’s Sleep Charity and see first-hand the great work charities can do to help people live better lives. So, I think it’s brilliant that Westfield Health supports charities both big and small.
Secondly one of their key aims is provide services that the NHS struggles to deliver. Undoubtedly sleep fits into this category. Anyone who has ever tried to solve their sleep issue or disorder via the NHS will know it can be a frustrating experience with varying levels of service across the UK (don’t get me wrong there are some people providing great sleep services within the NHS, there just aren’t enough of them). With the cost cutting and pressure the NHS is under, I fear there won’t be the funds available to provide a quality service nationwide. Together, Westfield Health and I want to assist in providing such a service.
Thirdly they have lots of customers which means they have lots of people with potential sleep issues. I‘m just one man, and can’t solve everyone’s sleep issues, but I want to give it a go. Working together gives me access to a structure and a way of helping as many people as possible.
Finally, I want to start a conversation about work and sleep. I want to help employers understand how sleep can make your staff more productive, have fewer days off and ultimately live healthier lives. I can help employers to make these changes to their staff wellbeing and to understand their employees sleep and how they can support them in sleeping better. Our partnership gives me a way of talking to lots of people who need good help and advice and I just can’t wait to start these conversations!
I’m running a series of sleep sessions with Westfield Health staff over the next few months, and look forward to reporting back on our learnings together as we go along.
For more information on James visit www.thesleepgeek.co.uk