Workplaces from across Northern Ireland came together at the end of last year to celebrate their commitment to improving employee health and wellbeing at a recognition and awards event organised by leading local health charity Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS).
Taking place at The Rabbit Hotel and Retreat, the event celebrated the health achievements of local organisations and businesses who have taken part in the Work Well Live Well programme, a free workplace health and wellbeing support service delivered by the charity and funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA).
The Work Well Live Well programme aims to improve the health and wellbeing of employees through personalised support. The programme begins by supporting workplaces to carry out a health and wellbeing survey with employees, analysing the results to determine health priorities and subsequently developing a bespoke, 3-year health action plan for the team. Workplaces also benefit from accessing Health Champion training to help drive health and wellbeing initiatives forward, provision of Mental Health First Aid training and access to a range of employee wellbeing talks and webinars, resources and networking opportunities.
Clanmil Housing Association, AES Global, GE Electric and McCloskey International were just some of the local organisations who attended in recognition of their commitment to workplace wellbeing. The event also featured several expert speakers who covered topics including menopause and wellbeing in the workplace, practicing good mental health at work and good news stories from Work Well Live Well organisations. Attendees also had access to a range of workplace health and wellbeing information stands and even got moving with a chair based energising yoga flow!
Fidelma Carter, Head of Public Health at NICHS says; “Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke is your local charity leading the fight against chest, heart and stroke illnesses. Our aim is to support people affected by these life changing conditions through our support services, and to prevent others from becoming ill. We congratulate all the organisations who have taken part in the Work Well Live Well programme to date and thank them for their dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of their employees.”
“We recognise that the workplace is a priority setting for influencing the physical and mental wellbeing of employees. Delivering the PHA funded Work Well Live Well programme is just one way that we are working to promote good health in workplaces across Northern Ireland to prevent serious illness in the long term. We also deliver our Well NI workplace health promotion service, which offers a wide range of tailored programmes to help support and guide employees to make healthier choices.”
“Additionally, as part of our ongoing commitment to preventing chest, heart and stroke conditions our Health Promotion team also provide health promotion programmes for schools, community organisations and groups and for people living in hostels or assisted living accommodation.”
Aidan Dawson, Chief Executive of the PHA, says; “We know that people’s chances of leading long and healthy lives are largely affected by the social, economic and environmental circumstances of their daily lives – and there is a clear link between work and the health of individuals and their families.”
“A good working environment, where people are protected and valued, has the potential to increase wellbeing, and effective workplace health programmes can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of employees, businesses and the communities in which people live and work.”
“Workplaces that invest in employee wellbeing are happier, healthier and more productive. We would like to thank Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke and all the organisations who take part in the PHA-funded Work Well Live Well programme for their commitment to improving employee health and wellbeing.”
Registration will be opening soon for new workplaces to participate in the Work Well Live Well programme. To find out more and register your workplace, visit nichs.org.uk/workwelllivewell For more information on NI Chest Heart and Stroke’s range of prevention services, visit nichs.org.uk/our-support-services/prevention-services
