Health Matters NI have launched year two of the ‘Health Matters at Work’ Initiative which provides free Health & Wellbeing Support to businesses across Northern Ireland.  Government funding for this initiative was awarded in June 2016 by the Public Health Agency for a three year period. This initiative aims to mentor and support businesses through a structured process to ultimately improve the health, safety and wellbeing of employees within the workplace.  Health Matters are encouraging local businesses to take action and sign up for one year’s worth of support.

Nikki Sturgeon (Lead Health, Safety & Wellbeing Coordinator at Health Matters) explains:

“We provide relevant support through face to face consultations, toolkits and resources as well as the provision of a health and wellbeing assessment. We use this information to develop, implement and evaluate a prioritised action plan. Free health promotion events such as ‘pop-up’ health fairs or educational seminars kick-start each new workplace initiative. Complimentary Health Champion training is also provided to support health ambassadors within the workplace to sustain an ongoing focus on health and wellbeing.”

To date, the initiative has been utilised by 120 businesses of varying sizes and industries.  Health Matters have provided the relevant support to each of these organisations to either enhance previous health and wellbeing activities or start from the very beginning. Multiple benefits have been reported from businesses who have engaged in the initiative including reduced absenteeism and stress, as well as improved employee morale, job satisfaction, corporate social responsibility and public image.

A Lisburn based company who availed of the initiative in year one discuss how they benefited:

“The initiative has improved our focus on employee health and wellbeing and has encouraged our employees to consider their own personal health and wellbeing and to take action to look after their bodies and mental health.

Throughout the first year of establishing our programme we organised breakfast mornings, cancer awareness seminars, a stress policy and resources to reduce stress as well as supporting employees to increase physical activity by taking part in a step challenge. I would recommend the initiative to any business interested in promoting employee health & wellbeing.”

Health Matters (Health & Safety) Ltd provide Health & Safety Training and Consultancy to a range of industries as well as Occupational Health services and a comprehensive range of workplace health and wellbeing services.

Visit www.healthmattersni.com/services/health-promotion or email workplacehealth@healthmattersni.com for further information and to register interest.