The Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador (WWA) program plays a key strategic role at UBC, supporting the Human Resources – Health, Wellbeing & Benefits team in their effort to embed wellbeing and wellbeing practices within UBC workplaces.
About the program
The Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador Program (WWA) is designed to promote and enhance a culture of health and wellbeing within UBC. Every year, faculty and staff at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan are encouraged to take on the volunteer role of Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador for a term of one year. As WWAs, faculty and staff are empowered to embed wellbeing into their teams with tailored guidance and resources delivered by our workplace wellbeing specialists.
The WWA program aims to empower staff and faculty to support and promote wellbeing activities within UBC departments. The program provides opportunities for ambassadors to build their knowledge around workplace wellbeing, apply their learnings in the workplace, and support their colleagues in creating a supportive workplace environment. Through this program, ambassadors will contribute to fostering a healthy, inclusive, and supportive work environment across UBC.
Now Accepting Applications for the UBC Vancouver Program
The deadline to apply is Monday, August 19, 2024, 5 pm
Interested faculty and staff can apply to become a Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador by submitting a brief application outlining their interest in the role and any relevant experiences or skills.
More than one person from a unit/faculty can be part of the program
What does a Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador (WWA) do?
Role of an Ambassador:
- Champion wellbeing practices and activities: Engage your unit or department in wellbeing activities and encourage participation in workplace wellbeing workshops, programs, and initiatives.
- Share wellbeing resources and learning opportunities with faculty and staff in your department/unit.
- Stay informed about relevant priorities and initiatives at the unit/department level by maintaining communication with the Workplace Wellbeing team.
- Provide feedback to the Workplace Wellbeing team regarding the emerging needs of employees within your faculty or department.
- Show commitment to personal and collective wellbeing through professional development and by role modelling promising practices in the workplace.
- Participate in bi-monthly WWA Community of Practice meetings to share experiences and learn from fellow ambassadors.
Time commitment and length of term
- Ambassadors are asked to commit to this role for a minimum of one year, with the option to recommit to the role annually
- Time commitment is 1-2 hours per month (this may vary depending on individual capacity and actions)
Training and Support:
Ambassadors will receive training to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively promote wellbeing within the workplace. Training will include:
- Building health literacy around wellbeing related topics and concepts with a focus on psychological health and safety in the workplace
- How to navigate and utilize the available UBC wellbeing resources, programs and support.
- Support in rolling out wellbeing programs and initiatives
- Learning about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the context of wellbeing.
Being a WWA has its rewards!
- Opportunity to be directly involved in fostering a culture of wellbeing and making a difference in your workplace
- Connect with colleagues across different departments and levels and learn how to
- Personal and professional development: opportunities to learn and role model promising practices in the workplace.
- Play a key role in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture.
Examples of what Ambassadors have been involved in this past year:
- Promoted staff and faculty wellbeing events and initiatives in their departments/units
- Applied for funding for wellbeing initiatives such as the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Fund Program, Move UBC
- Partnered with the HR Health and Wellbeing team to promote or host events during the year such as Thrive, Not Myself Today
- Organized teams and signed up for Staff and Faculty Sports Week and the Pick Your Peak Stair Challenge.
Here are our current WWAs
For more information, please contact:
- Okanagan: Amanda Swoboda, Wellbeing Specialist: amanda.swoboda@ubc.ca
- Vancouver: Truelove Twumasi, Workplace Wellbeing Programs Specialist: t.twumasi@ubc.ca