NEWCASTLE-based creative communications agency O PR has achieved a silver award in the North East’s Better Health at Work programme and is now going for gold.
Heralded as an example of best practice in improving workplace health in new national guidance published by Public Health England (PHE), The Better Health at Work Award is a unique partnership between all 12 of the region’s Local Authorities, the NHS, and the Northern TUC.
Throughout 2015 O, which has recently been named one of PR Week’s Best Places to Work in the UK, has set up its own official Run England running club, where other local businesses in the Ouseburn area can participate. O also holds regular alcohol awareness sessions, hydration days, blood pressure screenings, and even a ‘Reclaim O Lunch’ initiative encouraging staff to take time away from their desks to post an Instagram photo of their lunch break to win lunch for two at their client venue, The Botanist.
O’s agency manager Gemma Graham said: “The health and wellbeing of our people is something we can’t put a price on – happiness is at the core of our agency culture so we joined the programme two years ago to ensure our workplace health is always a priority.
“As well taking part in the initiatives that I coordinate in the office, I have noticed our people taking a greater interest in physical activity outside of work, like charity fun runs, mountain climbing and morning boot camp sessions in their free time.
“We are now in our third year on the programme and excited to go for a gold award in 2016 – the O-lympics here we come!” said Gemma.