June 2025 Wellbeing Newsletter
- Serco Wellbeing Team
- Jun 3
- 14 min read
As we welcome the summer months, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with nature and refresh your wellness routine. This month, we’re focusing on the many benefits of spending time outdoors—from boosting your mood to enhancing physical and mental health. Dive into this month's activities, tips, and resources to make the most of the great outdoors and prioritize your wellness in nature!
In this issue:
Stride Together Challenge: Step Up, Stay Strong, & Stride Together
The finish line is in sight — and the energy is building! The Stride Together challenge has been an incredible journey so far, with teams across the organization showing up, moving more, and supporting one another on the path to better wellbeing.
With just a few weeks to go, this is the perfect moment to recommit, refocus, and rally your team for a strong finish. Whether you’ve been tracking steps since day one or are just picking up momentum, every step you take from here on out still counts — for your health and your team.
How to Finish Strong:
Keep logging your activity daily
Encourage teammates to stay consistent
Check out the leaderboard to see how your team stacks up
Set a step goal for the final weeks and challenge yourself to hit it!
There’s still time to join! New participants are welcome — simply sign up on the and start tracking your steps. Every stride you take adds to your personal progress and helps boost your team’s total.
Leaderboard Update
There’s a lot of buzz on the leaderboard, and right now, Team SercoVets is leading the way with an impressive showing of commitment and teamwork! But the race is far from over. There’s still plenty of time for other teams to rise up the ranks, close the gap, and even take the lead.
Bonus Motivation: Stride Together isn’t just about competition — it’s about connection. Teams that support and encourage each other are seeing the biggest gains. So don’t go it alone! Check in with your teammates, share progress updates, and celebrate small wins together. A kind word, quick message, or friendly nudge can be the difference between giving up and powering through.
Even if your team doesn’t take the top spot, your personal progress still matters. Every bit of movement improves your physical health, mental clarity, and overall energy.
Step Into Summer with New Activities
Total Wellbeing On-Demand: The Nature of Wellness Webinar
Spending time in nature does more than provide a breath of fresh air — it plays a powerful role in supporting mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall wellbeing.
Watch the June Total Wellbeing On-Demand Webinar The Nature of Wellness: Enhancing Health Through the Outdoors to discover practical ways to connect with the outdoors — even if you have a busy schedule or live in an urban setting.
Earn Wellbeing Tickets: Watch this webinar anytime in June and complete the Submission Form to earn one Wellbeing Ticket.
Take a moment to reconnect with what’s outside — and feel the difference inside.
Visit the Total Wellbeing On-Demand page to learn more, find additional resources, and get started today!
LinkedIn Learning Course: Psychological Safety - Clear Blocks to Innovation, Collaboration, and Risk-Taking
Last Chance to Complete! Time is running out to take advantage of this valuable learning opportunity! Don’t miss your chance to complete the featured LinkedIn Learning course for Q2: Psychological Safety – Clear Blocks to Innovation, Collaboration, and Risk-Taking.
In this course, you’ll uncover nine practical tips for promoting psychological safety in the workplace—like encouraging open dialogue, reinforcing purpose and meaning, and leading with transparency. You’ll also learn easy ways to build psychological safety into your daily interactions, helping foster a culture of trust, innovation, and collaboration.
Complete the course by June 30 to earn 5 Wellbeing Tickets!
Start now and invest in the kind of culture where great ideas—and people—can thrive.
Please note: if you are not logged into LinkedIn Learning on your web browser (or haven’t used your Serco LinkedIn Learning account before), the course link will first take you to the Serco single-sign-on page.
June Mindful Moment: Walking Meditation
Modern life moves fast — but your mind doesn’t have to. This month’s Mindful Moment invites you to slow down and reconnect with yourself through the simple, restorative act of walking.
The Walking Meditation is a guided audio experience that brings mindfulness into motion. Whether you're walking in nature, around your neighborhood, through your workplace, or even indoors, this practice helps clear mental clutter, ease physical tension, and bring your awareness into the present moment. You don’t need any special equipment or experience — just a willingness to take a break and move your body with intention. Even a short walk can offer a powerful reset for your mind and emotions.
Prefer a flexible approach? You can also take your own mindful walk without the audio. Simply step outside, tune in to your senses, and allow your surroundings to guide you.
Complete the June Mindful Moment & Submission Form to earn 1 Wellbeing Ticket
Be entered to win a free HelloFresh box — filled with healthy, delicious meals delivered to your door!
It’s a win-win for your mind and body — take a moment for yourself and enjoy the benefits of mindful movement.
May Mindful Moment Winners
We’re thrilled to announce the winners of our May Mindful Moment Activity! Congratulations to everyone who participated and took the time to invest in their mental wellbeing. Your commitment to practicing mindfulness and making self-care a priority is truly inspiring.
The winners of the May Mindful Moment activity are:
Floralene Sanchez
Melissa Chern
Kimberly Stimpson
Chris Florek
Krystal-Star Kingsley
Thank you to everyone who joined us in April. Keep up the great work, and don’t forget to take a mindful moment this month to reset and recharge.
May Wellbeing Warrior: Gardner Fowler
Serco Wellbeing is proud to recognize Gardner Fowler as the May Wellbeing Warrior — a title well-earned through sheer determination and an unwavering commitment to personal health.
Gardner’s journey began at just 13 years old when he picked up his first cigarette. For the next 46 years, smoking became a constant part of his life. But on January 13, 2025, everything changed. At age 59, Gardner made a life-altering decision: he threw away his last pack of cigarettes and committed to quitting — for good.
In the early days of quitting, Gardner relied on Nicorette gum and patches for support — but only for the first three weeks. Now, regular chewing gum helps curb any lingering cravings. And while those cravings still pop up from time to time, Gardner’s mental determination is stronger. “There were a lot of cravings, and even now, for a brief moment, a craving will come,” Gardner admits. “But I tell myself repeatedly — if I have one more cigarette, that will be the one that kills me. And I don’t want to die. I have a lot of living to do yet, so it’s just not worth it.”
More than 100 smoke-free days later, Gardner continues to celebrate each new milestone, one day and one month at a time. After hitting the 100-day mark, he shared the news on Facebook, where friends and family flooded his page with encouragement and support. That encouragement, Gardner said, has helped fuel his commitment even further. Gardner’s colleague Deanna Lushmann nominated him for the recognition, sharing, “In talking to Gardner, I could see the pride he felt for getting this far, and those words of encouragement are indeed helping him stick to it.”
And that pride is unmistakable. Since quitting, Gardner has noticed huge improvements in his health: better breathing, more energy, and even a newly awakened appreciation for food — “everything tastes better now!” His smoker’s cough has disappeared, he’s sleeping better, snoring less (much to his wife’s delight!), and climbing stairs has become easier. On top of it all, he’s lost 14 pounds thanks to walking more and eating healthier.
Even old habits like having a cigarette with tea or a beer have been replaced with healthier routines. Gum is now his go-to, and he’s finding joy in the little things that come with reclaiming his health. When asked what advice he’d give to someone thinking about quitting, Gardner doesn’t hesitate: “Just do it — you will feel a lot better… and you will smell a lot better too,” he said with a chuckle.
Gardner’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to make a change and take control of your health. His courage and perseverance are already inspiring others — including his son, who is now hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps and quit smoking, too. The recognition as Serco’s Wellbeing Warrior for May is a meaningful milestone that fuels his motivation even more. “This really encourages me to keep going,” Gardner said.
Please join us in celebrating Gardner Fowler as a true Wellbeing Warrior. His journey is an inspiration to us all. Way to go, Gardner! Here's to continued success and many more milestones ahead!
Become a Wellbeing Warrior
If you know someone who’s making positive changes — or if you’re on that journey yourself — it’s time to shine a light on it. From small steps to big breakthroughs, every effort counts. Nominate a Wellbeing Warrior today and help us recognize those who are leading the way toward a healthier, happier life.
One winner will be highlighted each month and awarded an exciting prize valued at up to $500! Visit the Wellbeing Warrior page to learn more and submit your nomination!
May Caught in Action Winners: Inspiring Others at Serco
SercoVets Give Back
We’re proud to recognize our Caught in Action winners for May: the incredible SercoVets team members who volunteered their time and energy at the San Antonio Food Bank!
Last month, several SercoVets in San Antonio came together not only to support our local Veterans but to serve the broader community as well. It was a day filled with purpose, teamwork, and heart—and a wonderful reminder of the positive impact we can make when we come together in service. A huge shout-out and thank you to this dedicated group: William Casarez, Sharifa Louis, Ron Hamann, LaKita Clark-Parker, and Jessica Trotter!
Your commitment to giving back is a shining example of the Serco spirit in action. Thank you for representing our SercoVets community with such heart and generosity! Let’s keep the momentum going—together, we can make a difference.
Rise to the Challenge: Getting Started
Rachel Gage, a proud participant in the Rise to the Challenge wellbeing campaign, stood out this month by sharing her inspiring journey with the Serco community. On the Viva Engage Wellbeing page, Rachel posted about her activity to kick off the challenge: "I went on a 'weighted' walk around our property with my baby last night! My quick pace got slowed a bit though when she saw the chickens and geese and wanted to stop a bit to chat with them."
Her honest and heartfelt post not only shows her commitment to wellbeing but also encourages others to embrace the challenge in their own way—finding balance between activity and meaningful moments.
Congratulations, Rachel, for motivating us all to get moving and stay connected!
How You Can Become a Caught in Action Winner
You can become a Caught in Action winner too! Keep sharing your wellbeing achievements and inspiring stories with the community — your effort might be recognized next. Stay active, get involved, and celebrate your progress!
Visit the Caught in Action page to learn more and see previous winners!
Need Legal Support? TELUS Health is Here to Help
Need help with a legal issue or concern? TELUS Health offers a range of legal resources through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other services. Whether it's a question about divorce, real estate, writing a will, estate planning, handling a legal dispute, or finding a lawyer in your area, TELUS Health can help.
Here are a few legal resources that are available to you through TELUS Health:
Document Preparation: TELUS Health offers an online tool that provides valuable information and guidance on drafting legal forms such as a will, power of attorney, complaint letter, and more.
Legal Consultation: TELUS Health can refer you to a lawyer through our legal referral service for a free, 30-minute telephonic consultation in almost all areas of law, except for business and employment law.
Local Attorney Referral: If needed, TELUS Health will help you find a licensed attorney in your area to provide legal advice and representation. If you wish to retain a lawyer from our network, you may be eligible to receive a discount off retainer fees.
Legal Library: An easy-to-browse legal library with hundreds of articles, answers to FAQs, and legal information on such topics as bankruptcy, divorce and family law, estate planning, immigration, landlord/tenant issues, and dozens of other issues.
Online Tools: Find valuable information and guidance on drafting legal forms such as a will, power of attorney, complaint letter, and more.
Visit online legal services today to access these valuable resources.
These legal resources provide general information and legal referrals addressing numerous legal matters. They are not available for help with a legal action against your employer or the sponsor of this program. They are not meant to replace or supersede the counsel and advice of licensed professionals. If you need professional assistance you can get a referral to a local attorney by calling a legal consultant or through TELUS Health Online Legal Resources.
Contact TELUS Health today for more resources and support:
Phone: Available 24/7 at 888-456-1324
Website: Schedule a counseling session through the online scheduler available on TELUS Health One Platform. Visit one.telushealth.com/serco
First Time Users: register for an account using the invitation code “sna-employee ID” (ex. sna-00123456)
Returning Users: login using your email and password set up during the registration process
Health & Safety Corner: Beat the Heat and Stay Safe This Summer
As the weather warms up, it's important to protect your wellbeing—not just at work, but during your personal time, too. Whether you're gardening, exercising, attending outdoor events, or enjoying time with family and pets, heat illness can affect anyone.
Know the Signs: Early symptoms include heavy sweating, fatigue, headache, dizziness, or nausea. If left untreated, these can progress to heat stroke, a medical emergency.
Hydrate and Rest: Drink water regularly—even if you don’t feel thirsty. Take breaks in the shade or indoors to give your body time to recover. This is especially important for kids and pets, who are more vulnerable to heat.
Plan Ahead: Schedule outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening. Wear light, breathable clothing and apply sunscreen. Never leave pets or children in parked vehicles, even for a short time.
Stay Connected: Check on friends, family, and neighbors, especially those without air conditioning or who may need extra support in hot weather.
Taking small steps to stay cool helps you enjoy your time outside while protecting your health. Your wellbeing—and the wellbeing of those around you—comes first.
Preventive Health: Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
June is a month dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and promoting brain health – and serves as an opportunity to educate ourselves, support those affected by the disease, and take proactive steps to maintain optimal brain health.
Worldwide, more than 55 million people are living with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Take action now — for yourself, your loved ones and for the fight to end Alzheimer's. What actions can you commit to taking this month?
Break a sweat: Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.
Hit the books: Formal education in any stage of life will help reduce your risk of cognitive decline and dementia. For example, take a class at a local college, community center or online.
Butt out: Evidence shows that smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce that risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.
Follow your heart: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke – obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – negatively impact your cognitive health. Take care of your heart, and your brain just might follow.
Heads up: Brain injury can raise risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Wear a seat belt, use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike, and take steps to prevent falls.
Fuel up right: Eat a healthy and balanced diet that is lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets, including Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to risk reduction.
Catch some ZZZ’s: Not getting enough sleep due to conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea may result in problems with memory and thinking.
Take care of your mental health: Some studies link a history of depression with increased risk of cognitive decline. Seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Also, try to manage stress.
Stump yourself: Challenge and activate your mind. Build a piece of furniture. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play games, such as bridge, that make you think strategically. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain.
Buddy up: Staying socially engaged may support brain health. Pursue social activities meaningful to you. Find ways to be part of your community – if you love animals, consider volunteering at a local shelter. Enjoy singing? Join a local choir or help at an afterschool program. Or, just share activities with friends and family.
It’s never too late or too early to start thinking about your brain’s health – making healthy choices at any age is beneficial.
Make Summer Care Easier with Bright Horizons
How many times does summer sneak up and there’s no game plan? Your Bright Horizons benefits might just save the day. Thankfully, your benefits give you plenty of child care options (plus, tutoring support!), all summer long.
Register now for:
Back-up child care in centers and at home that’s easy to request for planned or unplanned needs
Fun and educational camp options for summer break
Virtual camp options when you and your child are both home
In-home back-up care for adult and elder loved ones, whenever you can’t be there
Professional tutoring for you and your child to keep learning going strong over the summer
Exclusive discounts on curated child care options through top providers, including Sittercity
Skip the summer stress—Bright Horizons® benefits are here to support your family every step of the way. Explore your options and get started today!
Enjoy Summer Savings with Beneplace & PerkSpot
Summer is here — and there’s no better time to save on the things you love. Whether you're planning a relaxing staycation, a fun-filled family adventure, or just looking to refresh your space, Beneplace and PerkSpot offer exclusive discounts to help you do more while spending less.
At Serco, your wellbeing includes financial health — and part of that is making your money go further. That’s why we’ve partnered with these two powerful discount platforms, giving you access to hundreds of deals from top brands and retailers nationwide. Here’s just a glimpse of what you can save on this summer:
Make the Most of Your Summer
Take advantage of this Summer of Savings to treat yourself and your loved ones — without the financial stress. Whether it's a weekend getaway, a new grill for your backyard, or savings on daily expenses, Beneplace and PerkSpot make it easy to enjoy more for less.
Start Finding Discounts Today!
For Beneplace:
Create your account (if you haven’t already)
Start exploring savings by category or searching for specific items
For PerkSpot:
Sign up at serco.perkspot.com
When you're on your organization's PerkSpot site, click "Create Your Account" to get started. Be sure to use the access code SercoNA to complete registration.
Discover new discounts and personalized offers every week
Don't wait — your summer savings start today!
Invest in Your Future: Higher Education and Tuition Assistance
Education isn’t just about climbing the career ladder — it’s a powerful way to boost your overall wellbeing, confidence, and sense of purpose. At Serco, we’re committed to supporting your personal and professional growth through our Tuition Assistance and Higher Education Discount Programs.
Tuition Assistance Program
Ready to take the next step in your education? If you're a regular full-time employee (30+ hours/week), you’re eligible to apply for Tuition Reimbursement starting from your date of hire. You can receive up to $5,250 per calendar year to cover the cost of tuition, helping you pursue degrees, certifications, and courses that enhance your skills and future opportunities.
Higher Education Discount Program
Serco also partners with select universities to offer exclusive tuition discounts for our employees. These partnerships make it easier and more affordable to earn your degree or professional certificate.
Fuel your future. Expand your mind. Improve your wellbeing. Take advantage of these educational benefits today and invest in a brighter, healthier tomorrow. Learn more about Serco’s tuition reimbursement program and eligibility requirements by clicking the “Tuition Assistance & Discounts” tab on our Benefits Resources SercoConnect Page.
Earn Wellbeing Tickets for Higher Education
Learning pays off in more ways than one! To recognize and reward your commitment to education, Serco offers Wellbeing Tickets for completing higher education courses:
1 Ticket per Completed Course
10 Tickets for Graduation
Whether you’re just getting started or crossing the graduation stage, each step in your academic journey supports your growth — and earns you rewards for your wellbeing.
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