In late April, the UK X站福利所 hosted its first-ever Staff Well-Being Day, an all-day event designed to celebrate and support the vital contributions of staff. Organized by the Staff Well-Being Committee and led by the Office for Organizational Well-Being, the event offered thoughtfully curated programming meant to foster reflection, connection, and appreciation.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in chair yoga, meditation, creative workshops, and even a midday walk with a physician, all designed to offer space for pause and renewal. One attendee noted how much they appreciated 鈥渢he opportunity to just color and meet folks from different departments,鈥 while another called the creative workshop 鈥渋nteresting and engaging鈥 stress relief for sure.鈥
Sessions were offered in shorter time blocks, allowing staff to step away from their workday briefly without needing to commit to long absences. One participant reflected that the structure conveyed intentionality: 鈥淭hat they put a lot of work into it to convey the idea that we are 鈥榯hought of.鈥欌 Others echoed the sentiment, noting that it was refreshing to experience offerings created specifically with staff in mind.
Staff Well-Being Day also served as a platform to highlight the breadth of resources available through UK HR and the Office for Organizational Well-Being. Sessions like Career Advancement and Visual Explorer prompted attendees to consider new ways of thinking about their professional journeys. One participant remarked that they 鈥渄idn鈥檛 know HR offered so much,鈥 and left the session with a clearer understanding of the support available. Others shared that they had learned about UK programs like SOAR, and walked away with a renewed appreciation for the benefits available to them as employees.
While the event emphasized individual well-being, it also reinforced the importance of shared connection. 鈥淪taff are less frequently provided with direct opportunities like this,鈥 one attendee reflected. 鈥淚t was nice to experience targeted activities.鈥 That sense of being seen, of being recognized, and valued, emerged as one of the day鈥檚 most meaningful outcomes.
As we continue shaping the well-being culture at the UK X站福利所, staff are invited to share their feedback. Your insights are essential in guiding future offerings that reflect what matters most to you. To learn more about the Staff Well-Being Committee or to get involved, contact Sabrina.Brewer@uky.edu.