One of Wearside’s largest employers is continuing to promote a positive health and wellbeing message among its workforce.
EDF Energy, based at Doxford International Business Park, Sunderland, organised a week long programme of activities as part of European Health and Safety Week to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle among its 1,600 staff.
The centrepiece of the week was a specially equipped ‘shed load of tools’ that used cut-outs of everyday items to highlight the wide range of health and wellbeing services, support and assistance available to the Doxford workforce, their families and the wider community.
A number of local and national charities and organisations also took the opportunity to set up information points and speak directly to staff. Those present included charity Sustrans, who aim to encourage healthy and safe travel options, and local Yoga instructor Jasmine Roberts, who provided free sessions to 40 employees.
Alan Bullock, Health and Safety Practitioner, based at Doxford Park, oversaw the week’s activities.
Alan said: “We recognise how important it is to have a healthy and happy workforce. The shed load of tools, yoga sessions and visit from Sustrans were all fun and interactive ways to get across some serious messages about health, safety and wellbeing to our staff.
“The tools in the shed enabled us to promote the wide range of support we offer, such as advice on healthy eating, quitting smoking, fitness and occupational health.”
EDF Energy has been working towards the highest level of the NHS Better Health at Work Award, Continuing Excellence, after winning the prestigious NHS Better Health at Work Gold Award in 2013. The company was awarded for its work in looking after its employees and helping to spread the health and wellbeing message among the wider local community.
The Health and Safety Week was part of an ongoing programme of initiatives by the company that also includes special fit clubs and the availability of special electronic health check kiosks for staff to monitor their own health.