Oakwood Training

17/11/2025

Seasonal pressures can lift performance — or strain it.

As the year draws to a close, many teams face heavier workloads, higher expectations and hidden wellbeing challenges, from financial strain to fatigue, conflict and disconnection.

That’s why we’ve created the Strengthening Wellbeing Through Seasonal Pressures resource hub.

It brings together practical, evidence-based tools to help leaders and wellbeing professionals support their people through demanding periods, including blogs, videos and guides on:
💬 Recognition and connection
💷 Financial wellbeing
🧠 Mental health and self-care
🛡️ Managing aggression and conflict

👉 Sign up to the free Oakwood resource hub here: https://info.oakwoodtraining.co.uk/seasonal-pressures

14/11/2025

Weekly round up...it's been another busy one. Here are some of the highlights...

🛒Back with Southern Co-op delivering conflict management and de-escalation training

💡Live webinar with JELD-WEN Europe on building resilience

💬In person training with H.I.G. Capital

🌍Upskilling with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Champions we trained at Colgate-Palmolive

🛡️Conflict Management and Personal Safety training with Catch 22 and Action Homeless Leicester - both of whom we've worked with since 2012

🧠Mental Health training for managers at London & Quadrant Housing Trust

🏏Conflict Management and Communication skills training with cricket umpires at Trent Bridge cricket club

Take care and have a great weekend 😊

13/11/2025

As seasonal pressures rise, it’s often the quieter signs of struggle that go unnoticed.

Checking in with a colleague about their mental health can feel daunting, but it’s one of the most powerful things a leader or teammate can do.

In this short video, Oakwood’s Zuzanna shares practical tips for starting open, supportive conversations about mental health, from choosing the right moment to listening with empathy and responding with confidence.

12/11/2025

Tomorrow is , an annual event that encourages individuals to practice kindness in their daily lives.

Participating in World Kindness Day is a simple yet impactful way to make a positive difference in the world. Here are some ways to get involved:

Perform Acts of Kindness: Throughout the day, consciously perform acts of kindness, such as helping a neighbor, complimenting a colleague, or donating to a charity.

Spread Positivity: Share uplifting and positive messages on social media to inspire others to be kind and compassionate.

Volunteer: Offer your time to volunteer for a local charity or nonprofit organisation that aligns with your values.

Random Acts of Kindness: Surprise someone with a random act of kindness, such as buying a stranger’s coffee or leaving an encouraging note for a friend.

And remember to be kind to yourself. Rather than putting ourselves down and criticising ourselves internally, we can show a bit more understanding and concern for ourselves, just as we might do if we wanted to help a friend.

11/11/2025

Congratulations to the new Mental Health First Aiders at Halfords who completed their training with us earlier this month 👏

Since partnering with Halfords in 2018, Oakwood has helped to look after the mental health, wellbeing and personal safety of their colleagues😊

Find out more: https://www.oakwoodtraining.co.uk/portfolio/halfords/

10/11/2025

Recognition is one of the simplest, and most powerful, ways to strengthen wellbeing and performance.

Yet as the year reaches its busiest point, it’s often the first thing to slip. When deadlines, financial strain and seasonal pressures build, small moments of appreciation can be what hold teams together.

Done well, recognition isn’t just about saying thank you, it creates connection, trust and stability when people need it most.

Our latest blog, The Power of Recognition in Strengthening Wellbeing, explores how meaningful appreciation can reduce stress, rebuild strained relationships and protect performance through pressure.

👉 Read it here: www.oakwoodtraining.co.uk/the-power-of-recognition-in-strengthening-wellbeing

Discover the link between employee recognition and wellbeing, learn how it boosts engagement, reduces turnover and strengthens culture.

07/11/2025

Weekly round up...

We've been training more Wellbeing Champions at LKQ Corporation in America 👏

Our conflict management and personal safety trainers have been busy delivering training with one of our global retail clients 🌍

This morning, we are excited to get many of our trainers together for a catch-up 😊

Take care and have a great weekend.

06/11/2025

For many working with the public, this isn’t always the season of goodwill - it’s the season of pressure.

Tired customers. Rising expectations. And too often, rising tempers 😤.

From hospitals to high streets, aggression towards staff quietly takes its toll.

Managers can’t control every interaction, but they can protect how people recover from them. Creating space to pause, reflect and feel supported makes all the difference.

Our blog, Managing Aggression and Safeguarding Wellbeing During Seasonal Peaks, shares practical ways to protect your people when pressure peaks.

📖 Read: www.oakwoodtraining.co.uk/managing-aggression-and-safeguarding-wellbeing-during-seasonal-peaks/

Discover why true mental health access depends on leadership, culture and confidence and how organisations can make support inclusive for all.

05/11/2025

The festive season can bring connection, but also quiet financial stress. For many employees, the pressure to “keep up” adds to fatigue, worry and strain.

Supporting financial wellbeing isn’t about giving financial advice, it’s about empathy. A simple conversation, a flexible finish, or a reminder of what support’s available can make all the difference.

Our latest blog shares practical ways to help your people feel more secure and supported through seasonal pressures.

📖 Read it here: www.oakwoodtraining.co.uk/ways-to-support-financial-wellbeing-through-seasonal-pressures/

04/11/2025

Globally, one man dies by su***de every minute of every day, with males accounting for 69% of all su***des.

There is a big difference between feeling a bit down and feeling suicidal.

It’s not your job to fix or diagnose people, but how do you know if someone is serious? or when to get a professional involved?

Oakwood Founder Terry Steather talks through the CPR approach....You are not going to say the wrong thing. Being there for someone in distress and being genuinely compassionate is a great way to prevent them from taking action.

***de

03/11/2025

As the pace quickens and pressure builds, leaders face a dual challenge: maintaining performance while protecting people.

This season, that balance matters more than ever. Nearly half of UK employees have experienced customer aggression in the past year (Sonder, UK Safety Gap Report 2025).

Aggression doesn’t just impact safety, it affects confidence, connection and wellbeing. Creating calm, clear and compassionate cultures is the most effective prevention strategy there is.

Our latest blog, Managing Aggression and Safeguarding Wellbeing During Seasonal Peaks, explores how leaders can set clear boundaries and support teams through the toughest moments.

📖 Read it here: www.oakwoodtraining.co.uk/managing-aggression-and-safeguarding-wellbeing-during-seasonal-peaks/

31/10/2025

Weekly Round Up.....

We've been with Halfords training more Mental Health First Aiders - well done everyone 👏

We were with Amazon delivering a customised Mental Health and Wellbeing course for managers across the globe 🌍

Our Conflict Management and De-Escalation courses with a global retailer have been taking place in various locations.

Oakwood founder Terry had the pleasure of meeting Professor Steve Peters, author of the Chimp Paradox, the UK's best selling self help book.

Thank you to everyone who has attended training with us this week for your kind words and feedback.

Take care and have a great weekend 😊