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The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has launched a new wellbeing hub to provide mental health, lifestyle and community support for young accountancy students.
The accountancy body has developed the materials on its global website in collaboration with online personal development coach and Pride of Britain award finalist Ross Anderson – now ACCA’s Wellbeing Ambassador.
Materials available to more than 500,000 accountancy students worldwide include:
• Two three-part podcast series exploring anxiety and sleep
• Quick tip podcasts on meditation and nutrition
• Exclusive articles on study, meditation, sleep and exams
Julie Hotchkiss, executive director – people at ACCA, said the launch of the hub comes following a survey issued to students and affiliates – seeking their views on mental health, wellbeing, support currently available and what they would like to see developed by ACCA.
She said: ‘“The survey garnered a strong response, more than 4,600 students worldwide replied showing the strength of feeling on this serious issue.
“A little more than 28% felt their wellbeing wasn’t being supported adequately – ACCA has listened to them and responded accordingly. We have provided accessible podcasts, videos and articles all with actionable advice to support mental health and wellbeing.”
She added: “We recognise our exams are both rigorous and demanding as the qualification produces the future-ready accountants the world needs. It is therefore important for students to know that we are there to support them every step of the way on their journeys to becoming ACCAs.”
Anderson also underlined the importance of organisations prioritising wellbeing and making material readily available.
He said: “Every organisation has a moral obligation to provide quality wellbeing resources to prevent mental and physical illness and foster mental and physical flourishing.
“Not only is it the right thing to do but it’s the smart thing to do. Unfortunately, few fulfil those obligations and those who do approach it with a lacklustre attitude which yields poor results at best. The few who decide to pioneer wellbeing and make it a fundamental part of who they are develop conscious cultures and thus experience growth of many forms.”
