Nearly 600 employees gathered on May 14 as Western’s Alumni Hall gymnasium was transformed into an Employee Health Fair with booths from more than 40 community and campus experts in health, wellness, and safety.

“Staff and faculty engage electronically with Western’s health and benefit providers, as well as community wellness and safety partners, every day. But this opportunity to connect in person—face-to-face—to learn and ask questions that are specific to their needs or circumstances is truly beneficial,” said Lindsay Plaisant, Manager of Employee Well-being, who, along with her team, organized the Health Fair.

Hundreds of visitors cuddled with service dogs, had their glucose levels checked, asked questions, gained new contacts, collected giveaways, and enjoyed free drinks and snacks.

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“I was happy to have the chance to talk with several of the vendors. I appreciated talking about my pension, my benefits, and learning about grief,” said Tonya Whiteside, Food and Beverage Catering Supervisor in Hospitality Services. “My family has lost several immediate family members this year, and it's helpful to learn about supports that are in place.”

In addition to Western-staffed booths, health and benefit providers from Manulife, Sunlife and TELUS Health participated. Service agencies like the Alzheimer’s Society Southwest Partners, Arthritis Society, Anova, and the London Public Library also participated. London Police Services and the London Fire Department, along with Western Special Constable Services and Fire Safety were also in attendance providing safety tips, pamphlets, and giveaways.

Sehr Wyne is a Senior Customer Success Manager with TELUS Health, Western’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider — she says that events like the Health Fair create that all-important awareness piece. “I feel like we could use Western as a case study,” said Wyne. “Utilization over the last year has really increased…the awareness is there, people know about the services, and they’re using them.”

Wyne spoke to hundreds of Western employees at the TELUS booth and said, “People are really trying to focus on how they can maintain good mental health. People are focusing on it, and the university is promoting it…That seems to really be the theme for me for today.”

As employees visited each booth, they collected signatures on their Employee Health Fair Passport which was then entered into a draw for a chance to win prizes.

Attendees of the Health Fair were also entertained by talented student musicians from Western’s Don Wright Faculty of Music.

Western is grateful to all the businesses and organizations that participated in making the Employee Health Fair a huge success: