Meet Erin Shellington and Maureen Collins, two of our Workplace Wellbeing Ambassadors

Here's what our Workplace Wellbeing Ambassadors have to say about championing wellbeing with their teams.

Applications for the Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador (WWA) program close on Friday, September 2 (sign up today!) to help understand what it means to be a WWA, we sat down and conducted interviews with two ambassadors to find out more about their wellbeing role.

Meet Erin from the Department of Medicine and Maureen from the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation!

Erin Shellington, Research Associate, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine (Legacy for Airway Health) 

Why did you decide to become a WWA? 

My personal passion for wellbeing, physical activity, community-building, feeling connected, and learning brought me to the WWA program. I felt a sense of loss for these things during the pandemic, this pushed me to build back community and contribute to the wellbeing of my team again.  

What has been your favourite part about being a WWA? 

I love feeling more connected to the department. As a clinical department, research, faculty, and clinical staff are not in one location, so being able to connect on wellbeing initiatives was really motivating for me. We have formed a small wellbeing committee and I love the ideas that come up in discussions! 

Can you tell us one thing you have done as a part of your Ambassador role and how it has benefited your department? 

In my role as a WWA, I have done monthly newsletters and a monthly ‘challenge’. The challenge is purposely a low barrier for effort, such as writing a positive affirmation for a colleague or using the stairs instead of the elevator, but these small challenges engage the department and are posted in a communal space so that there is a sense of camaraderie.

What advice do you have for people who are considering becoming a WWA? 

Just be your authentic self, reach out to others in your department and ask for ideas: what works now or has worked in the past. Post-pandemic people may be ready to start up things from years ago and make any initiative as simple and engaging as possible for busy faculty, clinicians, and support staff.  

How do you Thrive? 

I would never call myself a gym rat, but the personal competition and satisfaction of lifting weights and having that hour to myself in the morning before doing anything else are so important. I like to balance it with Yoga and running. As a fair weather outdoors-person, I also like to get out on a challenging hike or leisurely kayak.  

Maureen Collins, Executive Assistant, Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation 

Why did you decide to become a WWA?   

Wellbeing is an important focus in my personal life, and I cherished the thought of learning about the health and wellbeing initiatives UBC offers faculty and staff. Becoming a WWA meant that I could share these initiatives with my teammates and support their wellbeing.  

What has been your favourite part about being a WWA?  

My favourite part has definitely been the connection with other WWAs and the Workplace Wellbeing team. It is so wonderful to connect with other people so passionate about wellbeing at UBC. 

Can you tell us one thing you have done as a part of your Ambassador role and how it has benefited your department?  

I started an initiative in our Portfolio which connected people for coffee chats to get to know each other better. This made a big portfolio feel more connected and part of what we all do. 

What advice do you have for people who are considering becoming a WWA?  

Get out of your comfort zone and try some of the things that you hear about through the WWA program. I find that I keep thinking of and doing the same things for my wellbeing. The WWA program helped me to expand this and think about new ways to support my colleagues' wellbeing and my own! 

How do you Thrive? 

Exercise has become the most important part of my daily routine to Thrive. I do something every day and in the last year, walking meetings which incorporate activity with social and work connections have become a frequent way to bring balance and joy to my life.