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Brew Monday 2026

On Brew Monday, the third Monday in January, Walker Health and Safety Services and The Samaritans reminds everyone to reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with the people you care about.

Today’s the day. The day you put the kettle on. The day small talk turns into big talk. The day you break open the biscuits and the taboos.

The day you remind everyone how good human connection feels. How easy it is. And what a difference it can make.

Let’s prevent suicide with a cuppa and a catch-up this Brew Monday. Because for many, tomorrow’s too late.

Why Brew Monday?

We know there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’ and that feeling low isn’t just something that happens on Mondays or a random day in January. ​So we say out with the blue and in with the brew! ​

There’s always time for a cuppa and a catch-up. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Monday morning or Saturday night, or if you’re drinking green tea or black coffee. If you’re sharing a cuppa, talking and listening, you’re doing it right.

Everything you need to have a Brew Monday

Reaching out to someone could help them know that they are valued and someone cares. If you’ve noticed someone has gone quiet in the group chat or you haven’t heard from them in a while, reach out and check in. A simple message can mean a lot to someone who is going through a difficult time.

Just reaching out and asking someone how they are can give them the opportunity to open up about how they’re feeling. Don’t forget to put aside some time to catch up with them properly, maybe over a cuppa.

How to be a good listener

Once someone starts to share how they’re feeling, it’s important to listen. This could mean not offering advice, not trying to identify what they’re going through with your own experiences and not trying to solve their problems.

Contact us if you would like support, we can point you in the right direction!

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Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. SAD is sometimes known as “winter depression” because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter.

The specific cause of seasonal affective disorder remains unknown. Some factors that may come into play include: Your biological clock (circadian rhythm). The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

If you’ve been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder, your treatment plan may include a combination of light therapy, vitamin D supplement, cognitive behaviour therapy and possibly medication. Self-care is key with SAD because it tends to take on a predictable pattern.

if you would like a risk assessment created for someone, please contact us.

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Health and Safety within the workplace: Summary statistics for Great Britain for 2025

Here at Walker Health and Safety Services Limited, we have researched (from various websites) and identified a number of statistics on workplace injuries and health and safety in Great Britain. Upon reflection, it is evident that the number of injuries remains high, underscoring the importance of prioritising workplace safety. The stats show that when health and safety rules are overlooked, it reveals what can go wrong.

It is essential that workers, employers, and managers all play their part in creating a safe and secure workplace. Following health and safety rules is crucial for protecting employees from harm, ensuring legal compliance, boosting productivity, and enhancing business reputation.

This shouldn’t be seen as a burden as it offers significant benefits – reduced costs, reduced risks, lower absences from employees, and lessened threat of legal action.

Health and safety with the workplace statistics for 2025:

  • 964,000 workers suffer from work-related stress, depression or anxiety.

Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  • 511,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder.

Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  • 9 million Workers suffering from work related ill health (new or longstanding) in 2024/25.

Source: Estimates based on self-reports from the Labour Force Survey for people who worked in the last 12 months

  • 11,000 Lung disease deaths each year estimated to be linked to past exposures at work.

Source: Counts from death certificates and estimates from epidemiological information

  • 2,218 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2023).

Source: Counts from death certificates and estimates from epidemiological information

  • 124 workers killed in work-related accidents 124 workers killed in work-related accidents.

Source: RIDDOR

  • 1 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
  • 59,219 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR

Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  • 680,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey.

Source: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  • 1 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury. Source: Estimates based on self-reports from the Labour Force Survey
  • £22.9 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2023/24).

Source: Estimates based on HSE Cost Model

  • 5 billion Annual costs of workplace injury in 2023/24.

Source: Estimates based on HSE Cost Model

Contact us if you feel you require assistance with your health and safety requirements.

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Merry Christmas 2025

Hey!

As the festive season approaches and the year draws to a close, we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to you for your continued support and for working with us throughout the year. It has truly been a pleasure collaborating with you.

In the spirit of Christmas, instead of sending cards or gifts, we have chosen to make a donation to Severn Hospice, supporting the incredible work they do for individuals and families in our community.

Please note that we will be closing for the Christmas break on Christmas Eve and will return to work on Monday 5th January 2026!

We would like to wish you and your teams a very Merry Christmas, a relaxing festive break, and our very best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful 2026.

Warm festive wishes,

Walker Health and Safety Services

 

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Looking Back, Moving Forward: 2025 Health, Safety & Environmental Lessons

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s the ideal time for organisations to pause, reflect, and reset. At Walker Health and Safety Services, we’ve worked alongside a wide range of clients this year, and one theme has stood out: the businesses that thrive are those that treat health, safety, and environmental (HSE) management as a continuous journey, not a one-off task.

Key Lessons from 2025

From our consultancy perspective, several lessons have been clear this year:

  • Preparedness is Everything: Organisations with up-to-date risk assessments and contingency planning were better equipped to deal with unexpected challenges, from severe weather to operational pressures.
  • Wellbeing is Part of Safety: Supporting mental health and work-life balance has proven just as vital as physical safety. Businesses that embraced this saw stronger engagement and lower absence rates.
  • Sustainability Cannot Be Sidelined: Clients who embedded environmental responsibility into daily practices gained not only compliance confidence but also reputational benefits with customers and stakeholders.

Setting the Tone for 2026

As we look ahead, our advice is to focus on three priorities:

  • Refresh and Review: Enter 2026 with risk assessments, policies, and training all up to date and relevant to current operations.
  • Embed a Safety-First Culture: Move beyond box-ticking. Create a culture where health, safety, and wellbeing are part of every decision made on site and in the office.
  • Elevate Environmental Goals: Whether it’s reducing waste, improving recycling, or investing in energy efficiency, even small changes can add up to big impacts.

Celebrating Success

We encourage our clients to take time this December to acknowledge achievements. Reduced accident rates, improved compliance audits, or successful environmental initiatives deserve recognition — celebrating progress builds momentum for the year ahead.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

The landscape of health, safety, and environment is always evolving, but the principle remains the same: prevention is better than cure. By learning from 2025 and planning proactively for 2026, organisations can safeguard their people, protect the environment, and strengthen their resilience.

At Walker Health and Safety Services, we’ll continue to support clients with practical, tailored advice to help them achieve their goals in the year ahead.

Contact us to discuss your health and safety requirements.