Take it from CU25’s headline sponsor CAN (a digital team) – everyone needs a break from their tech
A digital-first company that bangs on about the benefits of reaching people “where they’re online everyday” – browsing websites and scrolling their social media? Headline sponsor to an event called “Unplugged”? Some mistake, surely?
No mistake, actually.
Team CAN is in the business of setting up digital campaigns for public sector organisations. Over a working week we speak to dozens of contacts in council, NHS, police and fire communications teams.
They have had to put up with a lot. For a long time.
Financially, the public sector has been on the rack for a decade and a half and, for comms folk, dealing with this comes with a specific sort of pressure.
You’re in the thick of it – putting up with endless restructures and redundancies – but also communicating these messages to your colleagues.
Family, friends and your local community might be at the sharp end of service cuts – and you’re the one delivering the news (and getting the negative feedback).
Time out
Comms folk are excellent at tuning in to other people’s needs. But, like someone who cleans homes for a living, you need a nudge to get your own house in order.
It’s a bit trite to say that your mental health is important. And – as all good communicators know – awareness weeks don’t solve problems during that week.
But this Mental Health Awareness Week, the marvellous organisers of Comms Unplugged are encouraging communications professionals in Scotland and beyond to plan some time out this September. In a way that we whole-heartedly support.
To get away from content creation and crisis management and spend a couple of days unwinding and learning techniques to better cope with it all when you return to the coalface.
Comms Unplugged isn’t new. For a few years it was held in Dorset in south-west England. And – as many of Team CAN experienced one or more of these events – we can confirm that you really do ditch the tech for the duration.
You enjoy the fresh air and the great outdoors (this year’s camp is near the glorious Loch Lomond). You get to have conversations with public sector comms peers, sharing experiences good and bad and swapping solutions.
And you benefit from wellbeing sessions, expert talks and venting opportunities!
Need some downtime this week?
Well ahead of Comms Unplugged, we’re also encouraging comms folk to take time out. For just an hour this Mental Health Awareness Week join us for motivation, practical advice and even a 15-munute breathwork/visualisation practice if you’re up for it.
Our free “webinar with a difference” happens on 15 May, 12.30pm, on Teams so register for your place now.
The session is being hosted by two inspirational speakers, James Lambert – a personal growth and wellbeing advocate who hosts the podcast “Love your job… Love your life” – and Dr Nupur Yogarajah, a behavioural scientist and clinical leader in health inequalities.
Please join us if you’re around. And do read more about Comms Unplugged. It’s the digital break you deserve.
About CAN
CAN has been the public sector’s advertising partner for a decade:
- Delivering measurable, lowest ‘cost per quality outcome’ paid media.
- Empowering you to unlock budget and savings from the media channels you own.
Take a look at some of our work and follow us on LinkedIn (when you’re not unplugging).
Find out more about Comms Unplugged 2025 in Scotland and book your ticket now!
— Monday 12th May —
