about us
we're techtimeout
you might think that we are anti-tech, but actually, it’s quite the opposite… we love tech!
In fact, tech plays a key part in our lives; our founder Steff is a director at a UK technology company and all of the techtimeout team work remotely. We rely on technology to collaborate, communicate and, quite simply, to do our jobs.
But, we also know that you can have too much of a good thing. Our experience and research tells us that our relationship with technology has the potential to become problematic, if it’s not already. Stats show that UK adults spend over 6 hours every day on tech – that’s over 90 days, or three months per year!
And that’s where we come in, we’re here with tools, techniques and support to help you, your family and your business look up, log out and take a break.
Tech has been and always will be a key part of our lives.
As one of the directors at Six Ticks – a UK based software and website development company – Steff has spent the majority of her working life connected to a phone or laptop.
But, after years of working long days at a computer, moving from computer to the TV, and watching Netflix whilst mindlessly checking her phone, she realised it was time for a conscious uncoupling with tech.
This is when Steff started to look closely at the nation’s relationship with technology. She herself started to trial ways to become more tech conscious and then rolled out practices within her own business and received refreshing results and feedback.
After lots of research and a partnership with our lovely psychologist Lisa, the true impact of our technology usage has become clearer. We’ve found that most people aren’t happy with the amount of time they spend connected to technology but they don’t have the tools or know-how to change it.
This prompted Steff to develop the workplace programme, tools and resources that we offer today. These services have made a positive difference to a range of individuals and businesses across the UK.
We’ve all got different relationships with technology. What’s healthy for one person, may not be healthy for another. We’re here to give you the tools to define what’s healthy for you so that you can create a tech/life balance and thrive both personally and professionally.
We have a big vision - we want to change the way individuals, families and businesses use tech and we feel our work is more important than ever.
Technology has opened up a new way of working and allows for 24/7 connection. Home working is on the rise and technology is continually evolving. These changes are exciting if individuals and businesses have the tools to embrace them in a healthy way, to support wellbeing and productivity.
We’ve got lots of plans in the pipeline on how we can make a positive difference to more and more people across the UK – watch this space.
the team
stephanie henson
managing director
neil lloyd
commercial director
kate oakley
head of marketing
shelley norris
techtimeout master
lisa williams
the psychologist
sarah belcher
head of product & customer success
TESTIMONIALS
what are people saying
We truly believe in the benefits of techtimeout, but don’t just take our word for it.
"The concept of being addicted to technology isn't something I'd particularly thought about previously. We all use tech in the office and we have innovated utilising technology across the business which has pushed us ahead of the curve for years. However techtimeout has given us a new appreciation of some of the negative impacts of technologies and how we can adapt our practices to be more mindful of these adverse effects."
Andy Lawrence
Managing Director, National Hometyre Group
"This is an incredibly important and needed service. Businesses need to prepare now for the adverse impact of the digital overload their employees have been and will continue to experience.
The guidance that techtimeout provides makes it easy for businesses to put the right support in place for employees."
Lisa Williams BSc (hons) and DClinPsy
Lead Clinical Psychologist, The Autism Service
"We’re in the PR & communications business. In today’s digital world that means we inevitably spend a lot of time on tech. The health and well-being of our team is paramount. They know they can take a break, go for a walk, take time out any time of the day but we know all companies aren’t like us. That’s why techtimeout is such a fantastic initiative – by encouraging leaders to engage with staff on the issue of mental health and wellness it has put the issue on the national business agenda."
Amy Bould
Be Bold Media
"It's very easy for the act of making time away from the screen to slip down the priority list, so the techtimeout campaign came at a great time in a year where the divide between work and home life has got increasingly blurry. It was great to intentionally get out for a walk at lunchtime and leave my phone at home, and I noticed how much more recharged I felt for the rest of the day. This is definitely something that I would like to keep up!"
Helen Rawnsey
Birmingham St Marys Hospice
"Working from home can be all tech consuming, with having no colleagues to chat to in the break out area I feel I have been taking my phone to my kitchen to tweet, or send a quick message.
techtimeout enabled me to be more disciplined and encouraged me to step away from everything tech-related. I felt more refreshed for having a break. A really good self-care tool I will be applying to my working day! "
Kerry Mitchell
Wellbeing Manager, Paycare
"In a world where a phone, tablet, computer, games consoles and all the other screens we see daily are prolific, it’s important to step back and appreciate that they're only machines. The initiative by techtimeout was an important idea to me to ensure I help my daughter grow up with a healthy relationship with technology, not just being glued to the thing like I find myself far too often."
Chris Howey
Tantec
"The majority of our employees are being forced to work remotely due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and are more reliant than ever on using technology to stay in touch. Their wellbeing is of great concern to us. We encouraged our staff to take 10 minutes away from their laptops, to go for a lunchtime walk, or a walk before or after work as part of techtimeout tuesday."
Cllr. Graham Breeze
Powys County Council
"The techtimeout10 challenge made a huge difference to the team. We all made the effort to turn off and go outside or do something we loved, and we shared what we were doing with each other - everyone had smiles on their faces and it was great for me as a manager to know that my staff were taking some time out for themselves and stepping away from their screens"
Rhea Alton
Managing Director, J&PR
