Laura McConnell’s Post

Did you know that more than 50% of Canadians feel lonely every week? And that loneliness is worse for your health than smoking? Both true. Combined with social isolation and disconnection, it’s a massive problem in our country. As someone who has experienced the acute pain and suffering of feeling alone in my own life in the past, I’m grateful to have been introduced to the solution: human connection. As a Coach and member of the recovery community, I have found that a problem shared, is a problem halved. Whatever challenges you’re going through, however lonely or disconnected you feel today, there are tools, strategies and people who can help you connect – and stay connected – in our increasingly disconnected world. And if you can do it face-to-face, even better. My experience has proven to me that time and again, the more we get together, the happier we’ll be. Please share this PSA and connect with someone today. Proud to be a partner on this small-budget, big-hearted PSA with the dedicated and inspiring team at GenWell. Huge thanks to Pete Bombaci, Reagan Zuzarte, Paul Estey, our musical talent Clara Hilts, and Donny DaSilva and the amazing team at Noble Street Studios for bringing this PSA to life so quickly and collaboratively. #humanconnection #socialconnection #socialhealth #health #happiness #longevity #inclusion #belonging #prevention #proactive #upstream #inthistogether

Today is World Creativity and Innovation Day! This holiday was created in order to celebrate the game-changing people and companies whose big ideas and passionate follow-through have changed the world. We'd like to shout out a few companies we think truly embody this, who elevate causes and do great things in the name of positive change: Altruis - Helping empower the missions of healthcare providers with innovative services. Careerminds - A people-first company helping unite displaced employees with new workplaces to ease difficult career transitions. Connect Plus Therapy - A mission-oriented therapy provider helping to change the lives and increase the independence of individuals with autism. DMA Engineering - True environmentalists who are integrating sustainable, green technologies into buildings new and old. Lympha Press® Global - Helping patients with a variety of needs improve their quality of life and conditions with innovative devices. We are so proud to work with these innovators, whose creativity and passion we can attest to. 🧡 #WCIW #WCID #IAmCreative

Tomorrow may be just the beginning of a new month but after what feels like the longest January ever, I'm resetting and recommitting for 2025. I knew I wasn't going to hit the ground running in January... after 22 days of no school for my kids, plus 6 rounds of various viruses and sickness, January was just about getting back into a "regular routine." January was anything but regular... for us, it was more sickness, fires, power outages, school closures, and the whiplash of the inauguration and ongoing news cycle that never ceases to lead with shock. 2025 has been exhausting and it's barely begun. As someone who cares deeply and regularly advocates for progress, equity, and inclusion in our workplaces, the reactions by organizations and companies have been surprising. But as we enter MY start to 2025, I'm staying laser-focused on the work we do at WRK/360 and with The Fair Play Policy Institute. I know from our clients that the work we do matters. I know that equity and fairness in the home enable more equity, productivity, and creativity at work. I know that working parents and caregivers make up 73% of the workforce, so we will continue to fight and work toward workplace environments that empower them to succeed. I am excited to continue to partner with our clients that have an unwavering commitment to supporting the working parents and caregivers that make up their workforce. I'm even more excited to grow alongside new partners who realize retaining parents and caregivers makes strong business sense and attracts top talent. 2025 here we come. 👋 I'm Mary Beth, founder of WRK/360. Our coaching, trainings, and programs attract, retain, and engage 73% of your workforce that are #workingparents and #caregivers. #ParentalLeaveatWRK #CaregiversatWRK #FairPlayatWRK #EldercareatWRK DM me to learn more. 🔔 Like this post?  Want to see more? Sign up for our newsletter and click the bell on my profile to follow me.

Post 3: The Advocate’s Journey Advocacy wasn’t in my plan. I was happiest in the field—solving problems with my hands, building infrastructure alongside the best people I’ve ever known. But something shifted. I started seeing cracks in our system—not just literal ones, but in the way our industry supports its workers. Especially those nearing the end of their careers. We don’t talk enough about what happens to the linemen who’ve spent decades holding up the grid. These aren’t just workers. They’re craftsmen. Mentors. The backbone of this industry. And yet, too often, their transition into retirement feels abrupt, even wasteful. We can do better. Modern tools like JNCTN can bridge that gap—offering consultative roles, training positions, and opportunities to pass down decades of knowledge without the physical toll. JNCTN itself can’t, that’s why we NEED partners, and industry wide adaption. The workforce isn’t just aging it’s evolving. This isn’t about convenience or profit. It’s about respect. Because every bolt tightened, every line pulled, every tower raised—it’s all built on their shoulders. Let’s give them the legacy they deserve. How we treat those at the end of their career will directly influence who signs up to follow their footsteps. To gain the youth, you first have to show you care for their parents. #WorkforceSolutions #ProfessionalDevelopment Next up: Part 4: The Connected Future.

Social enterprises are businesses that prioritise social or environmental impact over profit, and we’re pleased to have one of them in our very own America Square: Turning Point. Turning Point is a leading provider of health and social care. It has 283 locations around England, where it provides services and support to those struggling with alcohol and drug use, mental health, learning disabilities, sexual health and family impact. Its goals are simple: - Support people to improve their health and wellbeing, and bring about positive change in their lives - Seek to reach more people and provide support at the earliest opportunity - Prevent the escalation of need and reduce demand on the wider health and social care system - Create enduring value for communities and society as a whole. In its 60-year history, Turning Point has driven social change and destigmatisation throughout the country, from pioneering needle exchange services and founding Drugline to implementing government strategy on rough sleeping and championing tiered reintegration facilities. Its presence in our community provides us with hope that change can happen and every one of us can play a role. To find out more about Turning Point’s work and how to get involved, head to its website: https://buff.ly/3CAfJSu

This week, we had an inspiring conversation about how purpose-driven marketing can really make a difference for NDIS providers. It’s not just about promoting services; it’s about creating a broader social impact that benefits everyone. What excites us is how leading by example can inspire other businesses to become more inclusive. By building connections with like-minded organisations, we can amplify our impact and foster a supportive community. When our marketing reflects a genuine purpose, it not only boosts our team’s pride but also helps create a positive workplace culture. And this is why we love working with all of our NDIS clients—it’s all about building a more inclusive society, one campaign at a time! What are your thoughts on purpose-driven marketing? 💬👇 #FridayThinkers #PurposeDrivenMarketing #NDIS #HydraDigital

LGPro VIC (Local Government Professionals) have partnered with CWH this year for the Webinar HQ Series. We are thrilled to deliver 6 wellbeing events designed for local government employees. Huge thanks to Natasha Piner for your commitment to wellbeing. Last week we delivered our first even, "Dopamine Hits & Stress Cycles", where we explored: - How to set boundaries to create space - Starting your day well - Having a micro-break mindset - Shutting down your day Did you join us for the first one? Let us know in the comments how your new action plan to going. #lgpro #localgovernment #localgovt #localcouncil

Over the past three decades, the landscape of social care has transformed significantly, reflecting the changing needs of individuals and the evolving dynamics of society. From advancements in technology to shifts in societal attitudes, the role of those working in social care has adapted to meet the challenges and opportunities of the modern era. In this blog, we take a look at the evolution of social care over this time. https://bit.ly/3tdCerM

We talk a lot about what's missing in society and it's pivotal to advocate for this and to realign power dynamics. It's vital we consider a more equitable approach and respectfully challenge disproportionate spend and glaring gaps in support. It's also important we give air time to what works beautifully and is perhaps understated or missed out of the narrative. Every week I pinch myself for having the opportunity to chat with leaders of grassroots VCSE organisations providing compassionate, thoughtful, relational support in the heart of communities. They often emerge from personal adversity, with a natural momentum to fill gaps (ok sometimes chasms) in existing support ecosystems. They are innovative, inspired, rigorous in design & most importantly, they are heart-led...creating gentle, safe spaces for connection and collaboration. These services are sometimes below the radar, because those behind the scenes are concentrating on sustaining their existence, pouring their energy into delivery & growth, often alongside growing families. This is no mean feat. These organic support services work well, because they are rooted in humanity. They provide sanctuary through vulnerable times and they are an essential facet of what it means to be in community. Perhaps we can reimagine the ecosystem if we leverage what works well alongside exploring opportunities for development? We might draw on collective learning across the breadth of the landscape to come together, avoid duplication and show up with an openness to possibility. #perinatalmentalhealth #integratedcare #vcse

BrightSpark.io connects bright talent with innovative Kiwi businesses. BrightSpark supports new parents with: - 26 weeks top-up for primary carers - 2 weeks paid leave for partners - KiwiSaver contributions on earnings from employers and government-paid parental leave - A yearly wellbeing allowance of $1,500 that can be spent on any parental needs - Annual leave paid at its full rate after employees return from parental leave - Flexible working arrangements available - Access to breaks for feeding/expressing milk “When this policy was introduced at BrightSpark, I had just found out I was pregnant. It was an absolute weight off my shoulders knowing we didn’t have to stress financially as I was entitled to our top-up to full pay. BrightSpark offered every kind of support to me with the lead up to birth and on maternity leave. I felt connected to the team while I was away (I even went to an awards night!) as well as knowing I could do best by my family for my transition back. It’s benefits like these that make you feel so grateful for the company you work for.” – Louise Hickey, Auckland – Manager Is your organisation on the Register? Take a look 👀 https://lnkd.in/gnujEEJG We’d love to see more organisations join BrightSpark and the 270 organisations already transparently sharing their policies. ➡️ Join here: https://lnkd.in/gkXiKbNr ✋🏻 Nominate your employer here: https://lnkd.in/gZCNTT9U