BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa.(News of The South) – The University of the Free State (UFS)- has launched a new short learning programme that addresses all aspects of well-being and helps individuals cope with life challenges. The mental health and well-being of individuals has been further challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced individuals and businesses to adapt and find new ways of operating.
Well-being is one of the many essential elements that organisations should consider as part of their employee programmes. Not considering the well-being of employees as a critical business need, an organisation could lose its competitive advantage. It should, therefore, be one of the key focus areas for organisations and institutions.
The ‘I Am’ Wellness short learning programme, open to UFS staff, private individuals, and businesses, starts on 19 June 2020. The central theme of the programme is: I am… a great person with great potential. A number of prominent South Africans participating in the launch of this short learning programme are, among others, Kovsie alumna and former Miss World, Rolene Strauss; former Miss South Africa, Amy Kleinhans; and motivational speaker and author, Alison Botha. Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela rounds off the list of public figures who have also expressed interest in the programme. Many private and public sector organisations have already indicated their interest in participating in the programme due to mental-health challenges emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burneline Kaars, Head of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness at the UFS, says those interested in the programme can look forward to content focusing on different topics and themes related to wellness aspects. Participants will discover the fun of finding ways to improve their health and well-being through activities, games, quizzes, and many more.
“Upon completion of this programme, participants will be equipped to understand and improve their own personal and work-related well-being. They will be empowered to increase their own well-being and reach their optimal potential in both their personal and work life,” says Kaars.
The primary outcome of this programme is to increase employees’ physical, emotional, social, occupational, financial, and spiritual well-being. Completing this programme will motivate and inspire employees to improve their well-being by participating in weekly sessions consisting of various activities developed to facilitate an improved understanding of well-being.
The programme, a joint effort of the UFS Division of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness and the UFS Department of Industrial Psychology, can be completed online or as part of contact sessions, depending on the needs of the participants. Participants need to avail themselves four hours a week to successfully complete the programme. Those who master the two-month programme will also receive a certificate of completion from the UFS.
Registration for the formal programme opens on Wednesday, 24 June 2020. For more information, contact Burneline Kaars at KaarsB@ufs.ac.za
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