British Heart Foundation

1. British Heart Foundation Lisa Purcell

2. British Heart FoundationWorkplace health Lisa Purcell Project Manager, Adults

3. Today • British Heart Foundation • Why workplace health? • BHF’s work - workplace health • Think fit! Resources • Real workplace health issues • What other workplaces have achieved

4. Heart and circulatory disease is the UK’s biggest killer 4 out of 10 people die from it Every six minutes someone dies from a heart attack The heart of the problem

5. Our mission...is to play a leading role in the fight against disease of the heart and circulation so that it is no longer a major cause of disability and premature death. Our vision…is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease. British Heart Foundation

6. What we do? Research Education and medical information Patient care Emergency skills and equipment Fundraising British Heart Foundation

7. We produce publications, videos and other materials for health professionals and the public. Education and medical information

8. Individuals may spend up to 60% of their waking hours in their place of work Over half of UK population currently in employment Workplace offers a significant potential setting for physical activity Growing evidence base and key documents supporting the agenda Key policy drivers(obesity, physical inactivity, stress, ageing population, reducing inequalities) Why workplace health?

9. Employee benefits: Less health problems More energy Sleeping better Improved body shape and appearance A reduction in stress Better concentration and mental alertness Improved cooperation and rapport with their colleagues Meeting people and making new friends Achievement–learning something new+being successful Why workplace health?

10. Employer benefits: Increased productivity Improved absenteeism and ability to return to work after illness Retention of staff Improved the morale of your workforce Improved communication Create a positive corporate image Why workplace health?

11. Well@Work Programme – pilot project managed by BHF Think fit! - promoting workplace health and wellbeing – core BHF workplace health work BHF’s work - workplace health

12. W@W was a £1.6 million applied research programme To assess the effectiveness of workplace health programmes in a wide range of working environment To develop an evidence base on ‘what works’ in workplace health promotion in England The national evaluation of Well@Work was conducted by Loughborough University Well@Work Programme

13. 11 projects across the 9 English regions 32 organisations and a potential workforce of 10,000 employees A mix of large and small businesses, private, public and voluntary sector organisations W@W conducted over 3 years, projects completed October 2007 National Conference February 2008 Summary report and technical report available Well@Work Programme

15. W@W has provided a rich learning experience and an evidence base of ‘what works’ Programme planning and initiation Delivering interventions and participation Environmental and policy changes Raised awareness of workplace health at the organisational and individual level Achievements

16. Employees - lifestyle and work Employers improvements in absenteeism staff morale working atmosphere communications and interactions between employees and managers in the workplace Positive impacts

17. Two thirds of the W@W projects are continuing Wealth of experience – key individuals and organisations trained and experienced New partnerships created, a springboard for further work and new opportunities Workplace health now firmly on the national agenda and employers radar! Sustainability

18. Well@Work Summary report and call to action (G397) Well@Work DVD (DVD23) Sharing the learning

19. Think fit! - promoting workplace health and wellbeing • Think fit! Resources – physical activity, healthy eating and mental wellbeing • Think fit! Website • Think fit! Seminars (2006/07)

20. Think fit! Physical activity Think fit! A guide to developing a workplace activity programme (2005) Think fit! Be active! A ‘how to do it’ guide to workplace physical activity interventions (2008)

21. Think fit! Healthy eating Think fit! Eat well! A guide to developing a workplace healthy eating programme (2008)

22. Think fit! Mental wellbeing Think fit! Think well! A guide to developing a workplace mental wellbeing programme (2008)

23. Coordinators guide: Introduction - why Step-by-step guide Tools Ideas Challenges Resources - signposts Think fit!

24. Call 0870 600 6566 Email orderline@bhf.org.uk Visit www.bhf.org.uk/thinkfit To order a pack

25. Tools to download Why? Be active, eat well, think well! Top Tips Case studies Events calendar Challenges + templates Useful links Think fit! websitewww.bhf.org.uk/thinkfit

26. Real workplace health issues • Coordinator • Senior management support and commitment • Engaging employees – meeting their needs • Physical activity – what works? • Champions • Communication

27. Coordinator Key to success of the project • overall responsibility rests with them • engage with management and employees • develop ‘innovative ideas’ • communicate, communicate… • Motivate!

28. Need to: get to know organisational structures, ways of working and the culture build relationships and trust with management and employees have a ‘visible presence’ and ‘put a face to the project’ Takes TIME but WORTH IT! Use BHF resources – they are designed for coordinators! Coordinator

29. Management support ‘Buy in’ + support essential for success Coordinator needs to: • Find out their key drivers e.g. sickness absence, retention, CSR • Ensure clarity and understanding of what is required • BEST WAY - develop and maintain regular contact and provide project updates and results, esp. successes

30. Management need to: be seen as supportive demonstrate support and endorsement for project encourage staff to participate How… promote activities participate in activities with staff allow flexible working time recognise success Management support

31. Getting the right champion is vital! Nomination from managers Invitation from coordinator Volunteers – more interested more successful Champions

32. Recruiting Champions More than 1 champion helps share responsibilities and increase capacity • Include people from different departments • Include people at different grades/ ages • Find out their interests • Give them recognition • Give them the responsibility

33. Champions How can the champion help the coordinator • Run the project + support throughout • Communication (vital) • raising awareness • encouraging staff • feedback to coordinator and managers • Sustainability of the project

34. Champions How can the coordinator support the champion(s) • Support - regular communication between coordinator and champion is vital - meetings and 1:1’s • Training – help them in their role, increase confidence, opportunity to share experiences and ideas with other champions and coordinator • Recognition of their role – coordinator and management • Dedicated time per week to spend on project (1 - 2 hours)

35. Engaging employees • Takes time, persistence and constant communication • Even more so with those ‘resistant to change’, ‘cynical towards project’ and with ‘hard to reach individuals and groups’

36. Employee needs Needs assessment/ survey Champion and employee ‘working groups’ to bring forward ideas and needs Formal and informal face-to-face contact with employees Attending team/ department meetings Engaging employees

37. Encourage participation Workplace champions – help to communicate, encourage peers and gain feedback from employees Fun, innovative and social activities “The bollywood session was a good workout but fun. The instructor was brilliant.” Work with employees who show an early interest – get the project started, create early success – communicate success as widely as possible Visible management support – management participation with employees, being flexible allowing staff to participate, recognition Engaging employees

38. What employees like: Meeting new people Learning about own health Getting away from desk, break from work, relaxing Enjoyable, fun activities Seeing benefits – losing weight, feeling fitter, toning up Increase confidence Team building Trying new activities, learning new skills Choice and variety of activities External instructors – inspiring, friendly, professional Well organised Inexpensive Incentives – ‘freebies’ On-site activities – convenience After work + lunchtime activities Team competitions Health checks Engaging employees

39. What works well? Health checks Useful for motivating and engaging employees ‘Wake up call’ Encourage to make positive changes to lifestyle Encourage participation in other workplace activities “The health checks have encouraged me to get healthier. The Tutors were friendly and put people at ease.” Engaging employees

40. Engaging employees What works well? Team based challenges and competitions • Provides support and encouragement from colleagues • ‘Friendly rivalry’ and competition helps to motivate employees • Can participate during the working day • Incentives • E.g. Pedometer challenge, team weight loss competitions “The pedometer Challenge has been a fun way of interacting with work colleagues both male and female as well as keeping your own personal fitness level up.”

41. What works well? One-off/ taster events Cheap Provide variety - appeal to wide range of employees Time requirement low Work well - in work time, on-site, offered free Good to gauge interest for future activities Lunchtime classes e.g. pilates, boxercise Dance classes – ballroom, salsa, belly dancing Tasters - rock climbing, surfing, golf, archery Combining healthy activity with social events – ‘inflatable human football’, ‘rounders tournament’ Engaging employees

42. Communication • Constant communication, promotion and reinforcement needed • Coordinator, management, champions and employees • Helps to encourage support, commitment and participation

43. What other workplaces have achieved Case studies • Think fit! Be active! • Well@Work Summary report and DVD

44. Lisa Purcell purcelll@bhf.org.uk 02476 33 7774 Contact details