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Gateshead Council Scoops Healthy Workplace Accolade

Gateshead Council is celebrating after winning the BBC’s Big Challenge competition to find the healthiest workplaces in the North East.

The organisation which employs 11,000 members of staff was commended in the ‘Healthiest Large Employer’ category in the BBC Radio Newcastle area and will now go on to the national championships.

The prize comes following workplace initiatives aimed at encouraging employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Schemes run by Gateshead Council include selling fresh fruit and vegetables through a food co-operative and weekly ‘health walks’. A 7-step weight loss programme offers staff help and support to lose excess weight as well as a weekly ‘weigh-in’, while a dedicated ‘health room’ provides a space to undertake low-impact exercise. In March the authority will run a ‘Wellbeing at Work’ week, offering advice and information on health and taster sessions for things like head massage, reflexology and shiatsu.

The council was also one of the first to make all premises ‘smoke free’ in May 2004, as well as offering employees assistance to quit smoking. Cllr Malcolm Graham, cabinet member for health at Gateshead Council said, “I am delighted the council has been recognised by the BBC as the healthiest large employer in the North East. At Gateshead Council we really want our employees to be in the best of health. If you feel healthy, you’re more likely to feel better about yourself as well as perform better at work. A few small changes like taking a bit of exercise and eating more fruit and vegetables can make the world of difference - and if you’re going on a health walk or to a class at lunchtime, you’re going to feel a lot better when you return to work in the afternoon.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .