HEALTHIER and less stressful working lives are the focus of a conference taking place this week in Middlesbrough.
The event at Middlesbrough College on Wednesday (March 11) will celebrate the achievements of the ExtraLife health improvement programme.
The initiative brings together key public sector organisations and employers including Middlesbrough College, Teesside University, Middlesbrough Council and South Tees NHS Foundation Trust.
Wednesday’s conference – on the theme of Connectivity – will centre on the issues surrounding working together to achieve better health and wellbeing.
Key speakers – including Health and Sustainability expert Professor Mark Dooris of the University of Central Lancashire – will explore how settings can affect health, and how the ExtraLife partnership can work with the wider community for the benefit of the town as a whole.
The day will feature interactive sessions, discussions on the future direction of the initiative, a mini marketplace of providers offering support to ExtraLife activities and a celebration of progress to date.
The afternoon will feature two Connecting the Mind and Body taster sessions:
Mind: Mindfulness Session
Dianne Bowden, Lead Counsellor, Middlesbrough College
Mindfulness is a simple and effective form of meditation focusing on being in the present moment to help us change the way we address our experiences to reduce stress and anxiety
Body: Cookery Demonstration
Glenn Nottingham, Instructor Demonstrator Assessor, Catering & Hospitality, Middlesbrough College
In Middlesbrough College’s state-of-the-art Cooking Demonstration Theatre, find out how to produce simple, healthy and affordable food options quickly and easily.
Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “ExtraLife is all about harnessing the resources, insight and expertise of some of our biggest institutions for the benefit of the town as a whole.
“This week’s conference is an important opportunity to share ideas and knowledge, and help people to combat stress and promote health and wellbeing.”
- For information on ExtraLife, follow ExtraLifeTees on Facebook and @ExtraLifeTees #LessStress on Twitter.