The Printing Charity was very proud to work with Fujifilm on printed collateral for their Drupa exhibition area. The collaboration provided Fujifilm with a way to demonstrate their, and their partners’, technology, while generating collateral that would be used during and after the event, minimising wastage while helping the Printing Charity raise awareness of the support offered to the industry to a new and important audience – as well as providing us with some beautiful calendars to share with supporters!
We spoke to Fujifilm Product Manager Mark Stephenson, who co-ordinated the collaboration, about his motivation for involving the Printing Charity in Fujifilm’s Drupa work, and his thoughts on the print industry’s progress in the area of mental wellbeing.
In our industry, supporting staff wellbeing is now seen as a given
“Manufacturing industries do now seem to be waking up to the fact that productivity increases when people are happy, feel they have a common goal, and work for a company that understands them and acts in their best interests.
“In my involvement with the IPIA I talk to a lot of business owners. Supporting staff wellbeing is seen as a given, not an option. There’s been a real evolution of language about and perception of the importance of mental wellbeing in our industry. This is the biggest change I’ve seen.”
Actions not words on mental wellbeing within Fujifilm
“Fujifilm has a genuine focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) which everyone is aware of. As well as Mental Health First Aiders, we have “Fujifilm Action”, our Diversity & Inclusion group. The group gets together on a regular basis to look at what more can be done to encourage D&I, which really blends into wellbeing as they’re concentrating on ensuring everyone in the organisation feels included and part of the whole. Their activities bring the whole team together. For example, our Bedford office is next to Bedford Marina, with a country park and a lake, so we hold regular wellbeing walks, which sometimes, as a photographic company, are “bring your camera” for a bit of creativity, too.
“Now we want to communicate externally as well as internally the importance of inclusivity in our team, so prospective employees can feel confident that everyone is welcome. We hope to help make it really clear that the print industry is not stuck in the past. I hope that people within, and outside, our industry realise it has lots of scope for people of all kinds of abilities, whatever they are. Print is open – everyone can have so much to give to the industry.”
Show young people how they can drive industry change
“Print is technologically sophisticated and focused. To maintain continuous improvement and change, the industry needs a diversity of skillsets. We need young people with these skills to join the print industry to continue to drive change within it, through both innovative ideas and innovative ways of working. We need to say to them “You can be the change”, and be clear that as valued team members we want to listen to their views.
“I think it’s also important to focus on print’s positive advantages when talking about print with young people, rather than draw attention to other industries’ negatives. Print needs to look great standing on its own – anything else can put young people off.”
How promoting the Printing Charity helps build positive print industry perception
“Raising more awareness of what the Printing Charity does is all part of the bigger picture of presenting an industry that’s switched on, modern, caring and inclusive. Our industry is getting so much better at asking its employees “are you okay?” and wanting to hear the real answer. We’re now asking that question, and The Printing Charity is there to provide support at those times when they’re not okay, so it’s important that we spread the word about the charity so people know help is out there when its needed.
“When people see the word ‘charity’ they think you’re after donations or want something. We need to continue to make it clear that this isn’t the case, that you really are here simply to help people; and not just when they fall on hard times – you’re here to support ongoing industry-wide mental wellbeing as well as offer help and advice.”
For more information about Printing Charity wellbeing resources, visit the helpline pages.