An all-star lineup is set for Rail Wellbeing Live 2022, taking place on the 2nd and 3rd November 2022, with musician Professor Green, TV personality Gail Porter, war veteran Simon Weston CBE, hypnotist Paul McKenna, and author Tracey Cox amongst the celebrity speakers joining an array of wellbeing experts.

The free two-day event was originally created by the Rail Wellbeing Alliance which is made up of the rail industry including train operators, suppliers and industry bodies.

The aim of Rail Wellbeing Live is to provide the entire rail industry with a chance to join together and enjoy high-profile speakers in a bid to inspire, provide tips and also guidance in dealing with a large number of health and wellbeing issues.

This year’s event marks its third year and will continue to build on its previous successes as the industry’s largest free health and wellbeing event this year will be bigger and better than ever and open to the huge 240,000-strong rail industry workers.

Research has revealed that railway employees see 1.5 times increased rate of anxiety in comparison to the general population. A Rail Safety and Standards Board cross-industry mental health survey showed:

• Ill health within the rail industry costs an estimated £2,157 per employee each year
• More than one in three rail workers could meet the criteria for a mental health condition
• 10% of those taking part reported symptoms in line with a post-traumatic stress disorder, which is more than twice that seen in the general population
• Employees were six times more likely to miss work due to a health issue caused or made worse by work than a workplace accident.

John Halsall, chair of the Rail Wellbeing Alliance and managing director for Network Rail’s Southern Region said: “The aim of the two days isn’t to say to go to the gym three hours a day, but more if you dial this up, dial that down, do that a little bit different and you will be happier. As well as the impact on the individual, it also saves the organisation a lot of money as sickness costs businesses a fortune, so why not invest in health and wellbeing and stop those things from occurring”

“We often talk about health and safety on the railway, but what we really mean is “safety”. We haven’t got to the point where we say that health and wellbeing is more important, even though by any metric you care to measure these things by, improving wellbeing will result in staff taking less time off work and often being happier as well. For employers, there is a compelling reason for investing in health and wellbeing initiatives and the underlying point for me is that a happy workforce is an efficient and a hardworking workforce.”

“So, it doesn’t matter where you work in the rail industry, so long as you have a mobile device or access to a computer, you can join us 2 to 3 November and we really hope you do. All the content is free, so please spread the word as we’d like as many people to benefit from this event as possible.”

Similar to the 2021 event, Rail Wellbeing Live 2022 will deal with all aspects of health and wellbeing in a light and fun manner. Simon Weston who is a Welsh veteran of the British Army and renound for his charity work and recovery from extreme burn injuries suffered in the Falklands war will discuss finding opportunity in adversity.

Gail Porter who is a television personality and former model and actress will also discuss her own experience with mental health illness alongside the ups and downs of her career and how she manages ongoing bouts of depression.

This year’s event will also see evening sessions including a health cook-along, nutrition for night shifts and mental health.

The event will feature four themes, each of which has its own speakers including:

• Inspirational health and well-being talks aimed to inspire a well-being journey
• Sessions aimed at managers and leaders to build a healthy workplace
• Practical sessions which offer the chance to learn how to improve physical and mental health
• Interactive sessions will include favourite activities such as yoga, pilates and boxing.

All of those registering for the event via: http://www.rwl22.co.uk before the 30th of September will be entered into a prize draw with a chance to nominate a colleague or team for the Wellbeing Hero/Heroes Award and will see the winners of the awards announced at the event to recognise and celebrated their exceptional efforts.

Dr Edward Bebb, Head of Health and Wellbeing at RSSB said: ‘The health and wellbeing of rail workers is fundamental to our collective success. Rail Wellbeing Live is a great opportunity for the whole industry to share in this effort to improve health and wellbeing in the rail industry.’

Those attending Rail Wellbeing Live can enjoy activities such as desk and chair yoga, Sophrology, dance aerobics and breathwork.

Further speakers over the two days will include life coach and business strategist Simon Alexander Ong and Medical expert, from Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies Dr Anand Patel, alongside Clinical Psychologist & Author Dr Julie Smith.

All content from the two-day event will be both streamed live and be available 24 hours a day for a 2 week period following the event, in order to access this, please register here: http://www.rwl22.co.uk