Promoting mental health

The curtain went up on our collaboration with the Wisli Foundation this February. To symbolise the idea of "changing places", our CEO Johann Reiter swapped his suit for a black "Bike Workshop" T-shirt and spent a morning in the newlyopened cycle repair shop operated by the Wisli Foundation. Based in Bülach, this foundation has a 35-year track record of advocating social and vocational integration for people with mental impairments.

As part of our collaboration, we organised an 'info lunch' in March focusing on the topic of mental health. The Wisli Foundation has proven to be an expert partner; they have given us wide-ranging insights into their organisation and the services they offer. We learned about some important early warning signs to watch out for, and we tested out strategies to address them.

Mental hygiene and decluttering

Good mental hygiene also includes clearing out physical and psychological baggage. In mid-April, our employees had the opportunity to hand in used goods that they no longer needed at the Wisli stand during their lunch break. As part of the Wisli Foundation's "Residual Value" project, participants sell these items via online platforms – and as they do so, they gain hands-on knowledge about commercial processes. As well as preparing the participants for their re-entry into working life, this activity generates a win-win situation for everyone involved.

In August, we are offering our employees in Bülach the chance to see things from a different perspective. They will have the opportunity to join people supported by the Wisli Foundation for half a day in the bike repair shop, the garden and house maintenance teams, or the workshop. There will also be a workshop in the afternoon to take another look at the topic of mental health. These activities are intended to foster an understanding of the challenges presented by mental impairments, and to raise awareness about the importance of mental health.