The County Durham Better Health at Work Awards ceremony took place at the Ramside Hall Hotel and Spa to celebrate businesses in County Durham who have successfully achieved the Better Health at Work Award (BHAWA).
A total of 32 businesses and 164 employees attended the ceremony organised by the Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) who manage the County Durham sub region of the North East BHAWA.
The ceremony was hosted by Lee Mack, Head of Service Health Improvement at County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) who work in partnership with PCP to deliver the award across County Durham.
Mack said: “I am delighted to see so many companies and employees who have gone that extra mile to develop a sustainable culture of health and wellbeing.
“Businesses of all sizes and sectors were represented including services, manufacturing, engineering, commercial, independent and the public sector – all had a fantastic evening celebrating their achievements.
“It was also great to see the enthusiasm of new organisations, alongside those who have committed to the framework for a number of years and are achieving continuing excellence. As well as employee health and wellbeing, the scheme supports decent work, economic growth and commercial success – goals we can rightly celebrate together.”
The criteria to achieve the awards includes identifying staff ‘health advocates’, providing support to help staff stop smoking, creating a better awareness of how health can be affected by work activities, asking staff what health issues they would like help with and running subsequent health improvement campaigns to address the most popular topics.
Carol Gaskarth, PCP Chief Executive, said: “PCP were delighted to be hosting this year’s event, and to be delivering the BHAWA in County Durham.
“It’s so important for employers to encourage good health. Not only does it help the staff themselves but brings enormous benefits to business, the economy of the region and the quality of life of all those who live in the North East.
“Helping PCP achieve it mission to improve health, wellbeing and learning for all. PCP also picked up a Continuing Excellence award for our commitment to staff health and wellbeing.”
Participation in health improving activities through a workplace health programme allows individuals to develop knowledge, self-management and coping skills as well as build a social support network among co-workers, managers and family.
Businesses which have signed up to the Award have seen a reduction of absence by 0.26 to 2.0 days per employee and an increase in productivity, which means it makes economic sense to be part of the North East BHAWA. Healthy workplaces also benefit from fewer injuries and illnesses, improved job satisfaction and positive workplace morale.
For further information contact PCP at the Pioneering Care Centre, Carer’s Way, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4SF, call 01325 321234, email [email protected] or visit www.pcp.uk.net