A new mental and physical health initiative to improve workers’ health and productivity has been launched across Lancashire.
Business Health Matters, a three-year programme led by Active Lancashire, has brought together the expertise of specialists at the University of Central Lancashire, ukactive and Lancashire Mind to deliver a tailored and affordable workplace health offer to Lancashire-based SMEs.
Business Health Matters aims to help employees across the county to take ownership and improve their own health and wellbeing, whilst businesses will benefit from a healthier, happier and more resilient workforce.
In response to the increased levels of poor health within Lancashire’s workforce, the programme offers two main services to businesses in the form of Workplace Health Champion Training and the government-backed Workplace Health Screenings service.
Workplace Health Champion Training
Supported by ESF funding, the Workplace Health Champion Training project aims to support people aged 18+ who are in work, to develop skills to maintain or advance their employment by training 5,000 Workplace Health Champions in SMEs across Lancashire.
The project delivers free basic skills training, level 2 and level 3 Workplace Health Champion qualifications to employees, empowering them with tools, resources and guidance to drive positive change in their organisation. As a result, a community of upskilled and passionate Workplace Health Champions will work collaboratively with Active Lancashire’s delivery partners and each other to continue to inspire and motivate their colleagues to live happier, healthier lives.
For more information please visit Business Health Matters – Workplace Health Champions
Workplace Health Screenings
Through the Workplace Health Screening project, physical and mental health screenings are delivered by qualified gym and leisure centre staff. The screenings, focused on employees aged 50+, combine a physical health assessment and mental health element.
Based on the outcomes of the screenings, tailored interventions are offered to businesses so that they can support their employees in improving their overall wellbeing and benefit from a more resilient workforce.
For more information please visit Business Health Matters – Workplace Health Screening
Adrian Leather, Chief Executive at Active Lancashire, explained:
“Speaking to Lancashire businesses and business leaders, I repeatedly hear about the loss of staff due to sickness and poor attendance at work; some of it due to the pandemic, much of it due to long term health conditions. Today’s launch of Business Health Matters creates a significant opportunity to increase the competitiveness of our 53,000 businesses and the productivity of our 650,000 workers in Lancashire. The research shows that by improving the mental and physical health of employees in Lancashire, we can reduce rate of sickness absence in the county and increase those retained in employment. By bringing these levels in line with national averages, the economy in Lancashire would grow by £3Bn per year.”
The Business Health Matters initiative is supported by a range of partners including UCLan, Lancashire Mind, UKactive, Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Chambers of Commerce, Sport England and Lancashire County Council.
If you have any questions about Business Health Matters or want to register your interest, please contact the team directly via email BusinessHealthMatters@ActiveLancashire.org.uk or telephone on 01772 299838.