Showing MPs why wellbeing is essential to the nation's health

Anyone who has experienced the benefits of holistic wellbeing will know how powerful it can be for supporting our health at different times of our lives. It might be about helping us to unwind at the end of a busy week, offering preventative support to help us manage the stresses and strains of daily life, or it might be an essential part of a recovery period.

For those who work in the wellbeing and beauty industry, its value extends into our livelihoods. In particular, it has always been a huge employer of women. However, the value - literally and figuratively - that the beauty and wellbeing industry offers to the nation and its health, has not always been given the support, recognition and due it deserves. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty and Wellbeing seeks to change that.

Supporting the nation's wellbeing

At Spabreaks.com, our Founder Abi Selby, has worked with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beauty and Wellbeing for a number of years. This month we were delighted to sponsor the Complementary Therapies Drop-In session at the Houses of Parliament. Other sponsors of the event included Caroline Larissey, Director of Quality and Standards, National Hair, Beauty and Barbering Federation (NHBF); Rosina Robson, Director of Policy and Public Affairs (NHBF); and Judith Hadley, Vice President (Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).

The purpose of the session was to raise awareness and support of the complementary therapies sector within Government, in order to encourage parliamentarians to discuss the importance of these treatments in supporting everyone’s physical health, mental health and wellbeing. In addition, it was an opportunity to shine a light on the APPG's goals:

• Highlighting the value the sector brings to the UK’s economy and society
• How complementary treatments can play a preventative role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing, or support those with existing health conditions
• How the NHS can be better integrated with the sector
• The skills gap facing the industry and how we can attract talent
• How has the pandemic changed demand for these services
• How to ensure the long-term growth of the sector and those that
• Work in it are able to make a good wage

Next steps for the wellness industry

The APPG on Beauty and Wellbeing has already made significant steps to secure the beauty industry greater recognition in Parliament and Government, and wants to ensure the same level of recognition is given to the importance of holistic and complementary therapies in supporting everyone’s physical health, mental health and wellbeing and taking pressure off the NHS.

Going forward, the Group would like to carry out an investigation on this topic, including panel evidence gathering sessions to discuss key issues with experts, a call for written evidence, a showcase event with MPs in Parliament, and publication of a short page on the APPG’s findings and recommendations.

We were delighted to be joined by MPs including Alison Thewliss, and extend our enormous thanks to therapists Collette State and Shirley Broadhurst from K West Hotel and Spa.