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Silver Level - Theme 4: Healthy Lifestyles
Silver Level - Theme 4: Healthy Lifestyles
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Smoking
What you need to do
The organisation actively supports employees to give up smoking.
Why this is important for you
People with employers who actively support quit smoking schemes (including pharmacological treatments or financial incentives) were significantly more likely to stop smoking compared to employees who are not offered support. Supporting employees to quit smoking will have beneficial impacts on both the employee and employer, where the cessation of smoking leads to improved health and wellbeing and is also likely to reduce absence and presenteeism rates in the workplace.
How you can achieve this
Staff who want to stop smoking are able to access smoking cessation services.
Does the organisation allow employees time off to attend smoking cessation
services or invite services to run in-house sessions?
The organisation participates in smoking cessation campaigns such as
Stoptober and No Smoking Day.
How you can show you have achieved this
- Staff e-mails/bulletins marketing materials.
- Verbal discussions with staff.
- Posters/leaflets of support material in workplace.
- Attendance registers if in-house sessions are run.
- Example of guidance provided re staff time off for attending smoking cessation such as guidance being included in smoking policy.
Toolkit - National Resources
The NHS have resources and support online:
Smokefree National Helpline: 0300 123 1044
NHS ‘Stoptober’ campaign
NHS smoke free support resources
NHS Stop Smoking resources
British Heart Foundation provides the following resources for employers:
A booklet on how to quit as a team
Other organisations providing support on how to stop smoking can be found on the Public Health England website.
NHS One You has resources on the following issues; stress less, eat better, alcohol, smoking, physical activities and sleep.
Active working provides individuals and organisations helpful tips and resources on how to keep themselves active and engaged whilst at work.
ACAS has a wide range of resources available on their website such as mental health in the workplace, promoting mental health in the workplace, managing staff experiencing mental ill health, training available, free e-learning on mental health awareness for employers, alcohol and drugs and general good practice at work.
ENEI offer a range of events and training for members and non-members throughout the year.
Toolkit - Local Resources
Birmingham
Forward thinking Birmingham provides access to resources and help for people with mental health issues in the 0-25 years age range.
Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust - Healthy Minds provides information on how to access support for depression and anxiety.
Birmingham City Council has resources and signposting information on for Health & Wellbeing in Birmingham.
Birmingham City Council provides access to a health and wellbeing library. The Library offers plenty of resources and support to help an individual look after their health. The extensive range of books, CDs and DVDs covers every health and healthy lifestyles topic.
Coventry
The Coventry City Council website has information on support available on how to improve wellbeing in the workplace.
Healthy Lifestyles Coventry is a free support service to help you to lose weight, give up smoking, get more active, cut down on alcohol, improve your overall wellbeing and get a free NHS Health Check.
Best-You Coventry is a free online self-care app and website to assist you on your journey to a healthy lifestyle.
Dudley
In Dudley, support for organisations is available from the Workplace Health Team at Dudley Council, you can email them here or phone 01384 813848.
Dudley health champions is a community who help support their community in the health and wellbeing field.
Let's Get has a wide range of resources for the Dudley area on mental wellbeing, healthy eating, physical activity, smoking, alcohol and how to improve your overall wellbeing as well as get a free NHS Health Check.
Sandwell
Healthy Sandwell is a one-stop shop for a range of health and wellbeing services. You can also contact Healthy Sandwell by phone 0800 011 4656 or 0121 569 5100.
Walsall
One You Walsall is a healthy lifestyle service dedicated to improving health and wellbeing in Walsall which you can access via 01922 444 044.
Warwickshire
Warwickshire Mind provide training, guidance and support including drop-in sessions. For further information you can contact them on 02477 712 288.
Warwickshire libraries has self-help Reading Well Books on Prescription (BOP). The books are available in various formats such as hardcopies, audiobooks, and e-books
Warwickshire County Council provides guidance on mental health and wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, school health and wellbeing, drug and alcohol support services and how to keep yourself healthy.
Equip provide support, advice and training to people across Warwickshire to combat discrimination.
One thing encourages all to get a free NHS health check.
Fitter Futures provide free 12-week programmes on weight management, physical activities and healthy lifestyles from the ages of 12 to adulthood.
Quit 4 Good provide information and support on how to quit smoking.
Wolverhampton
City of Wolverhampton Council have a dedicated Mental Health Team who work in partnership with carers, NHS, third and independent senior organisations to ensure that a range of services are provided to help a recovery process for people with mental health needs.
Alcohol & Substance Use
What you need to do
Employees are made aware of how to access relevant policies, information
and support at the point of induction.
Why this is important for you
Even if there is no evidence of their use, organisations can benefit from an
alcohol and substance misuse policy, to ensure that employees are aware of their employer’s management and approach to dealing with alcohol and
substance misuse in the workplace. (UNISON, 2018).
How you can achieve this
Is alcohol and substance misuse information included as part of induction process?
How you can show you have achieved this
- All alcohol and drug use policies and procedures are promoted at the point
of induction. - Induction checklist with section on alcohol and misuse.
- Example of induction programme.
Toolkit - National Resources
Alcohol
NHS One You has resources on the following issues; stress less, eat better, alcohol, smoking, physical activities and sleep.
How to drink responsibly information is available from drinkaware.
British Heart Foundation guide has a guidance on alcohol.
Alcohol Concern has information on ‘Dry January campaign’.
Alcohol Concern has information on Alcohol Awareness Week.
Go Sober For October website has useful information on the annual campaign.
Alcohol Concern offer workplace consultancy services including staff awareness events.
A calendar of national health and wellbeing events is available from the NHS website.
Active working provides individuals and organisations helpful tips and resources on how to keep themselves active and engaged whilst at work.
The government has released a report on the impact alcohol has to those other than the drinker.
Substance Misuse
The NHS has information on the impact drugs has on your health.
Drugwise has information about the dangers of drugs.
Business in the Community has a toolkit on drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
The Health and Safety Executive agency has information for businesses on substance misuse at work.
General
A calendar of national health and wellbeing events is available from the NHS website.
NHS One You has resources on the following issues; stress less, eat better, alcohol, smoking, physical activities and sleep.
ENEI offer a range of events and training for members and non-members throughout the year.
Toolkit - Local Resources
Birmingham
Forward thinking Birmingham provides access to resources and help for people with mental health issues in the 0-25 years age range.
Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust - Healthy Minds provides information on how to access support for depression and anxiety.
Birmingham City Council has resources and signposting information on for Health & Wellbeing in Birmingham.
Birmingham City Council provides access to a health and wellbeing library. The Library offers plenty of resources and support to help an individual look after their health. The extensive range of books, CDs and DVDs covers every health and healthy lifestyles topic.
Coventry
The Coventry City Council website has information on support available on how to improve wellbeing in the workplace.
Healthy Lifestyles Coventry is a free support service to help you to lose weight, give up smoking, get more active, cut down on alcohol, improve your overall wellbeing and get a free NHS Health Check.
Best-You Coventry is a free online self-care app and website to assist you on your journey to a healthy lifestyle.
Dudley
In Dudley, support for organisations is available from the Workplace Health Team at Dudley Council, you can email them here or phone 01384 813848.
Dudley health champions is a community who help support their community in the health and wellbeing field.
Let's Get has a wide range of resources for the Dudley area on mental wellbeing, healthy eating, physical activity, smoking, alcohol and how to improve your overall wellbeing as well as get a free NHS Health Check.
Sandwell
Healthy Sandwell is a one-stop shop for a range of health and wellbeing services. You can also contact Healthy Sandwell by phone 0800 011 4656 or 0121 569 5100.
Walsall
One You Walsall is a healthy lifestyle service dedicated to improving health and wellbeing in Walsall which you can access via 01922 444 044.
Warwickshire
Warwickshire Mind provide training, guidance and support including drop-in sessions. For further information you can contact them on 02477 712 288.
Warwickshire libraries has self-help Reading Well Books on Prescription (BOP). The books are available in various formats such as hardcopies, audiobooks, and e-books
Warwickshire County Council provides guidance on mental health and wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, school health and wellbeing, drug and alcohol support services and how to keep yourself healthy.
Equip provide support, advice and training to people across Warwickshire to combat discrimination.
One thing encourages all to get a free NHS health check.
Fitter Futures provide free 12-week programmes on weight management, physical activities and healthy lifestyles from the ages of 12 to adulthood.
Quit 4 Good provide information and support on how to quit smoking.
Wolverhampton
City of Wolverhampton Council have a dedicated Mental Health Team who work in partnership with carers, NHS, third and independent senior organisations to ensure that a range of services are provided to help a recovery process for people with mental health needs.
Healthy Eating, Drinking & Weight
What you need to do
Support and enable staff to make healthy eating choices.
Why this is important for you
Encouraging healthy eating at work is beneficial as research has shown that
improving healthy eating in the workplace:
- Increases motivation among employees and creates a better working
atmosphere, leading to more flexibility and better communication. - Reduces absence levels in the workplace.
- Increases quality of products and services, innovation and creativity, and
leads to a rise in productivity. - Improved public image of the company, making it more attractive as an employer.
How you can achieve this
Where food is provided on site, for example through vending machines, canteens, restaurants or mobile catering, ensure that healthy options are provided and that unhealthy options are not the only choice.
Examples of this include:
- Positioning of healthy options so that they are more accessible and visible
- Providing healthy food choices at corporate functions and social events
- Making information about the nutritional content of food available at the point of sale
- Where vending machines are provided, ensure that a certain proportion (eg
50%) of snacks and drinks are healthy options - Working with on-site caterers to improve healthy food provision and involving staff in menu development
- Developing a plan or policy to increase the availability of healthy food options, showing evidence of staff engagement and involvement
- Fresh fruit is available
How you can show you have achieved this
- Evidence that healthy options are marked.
- Evidence that food served or made is healthy.
- Posters/menus provided.
- Fresh fruit made available.
- Nutritional content of food made accessible.
- Vending machines provide healthy options or alternative healthier snacks
are accessible. - Example menus for corporate functions/orders raised.
Toolkit - National Resources
British Heart Foundation resources on promoting healthy eating at work:
Top tips on putting healthy eating into practice
What the labels tells you challenge
The British Dietetic Association has created a Thrive at Work page which includes resources that will help you fulfil this criteria and others.
Action on Salt resources.
Sugar Smart ideas for workplaces.
BITC toolkit provides an in depth look at promoting healthy eating within the work.
Active working provides individuals and organisations helpful tips and resources on how to keep themselves active and engaged whilst at work.
What you need to do
Develop an annual programme of healthy eating opportunities for staff to participate in campaigns/challenges including weight management.
Why this is important for you
Planning an annual programme to promote engagement in health campaigns such as Salt Awareness Week, Meat Free Monday and Fruity Friday is an easy way for your organisation to raise awareness and encourage behaviour change towards healthy eating.
How you can achieve this
A planned programme of promotional events focused on healthy eating, with at least four events a year. These could include awareness campaigns such as Salt Awareness Week, Fruity Fridays and Change4Life.
How you can show you have achieved this
- Healthy eating weight loss awareness campaigns supported.
- Copy of health & wellbeing programme including healthy eating events etc.
- Evidence that staff have attended.
Toolkit - National Resources
A calendar of national health and wellbeing events is available from the NHS website.
British Heart Foundation food and drink challenges:
Physical Activity
What you need to do
Encourage and support staff to participate in physical activity in the workplace.
Why this is important for you
Encouraging employees to move more during their working day (especially office desk based roles) will be an effective way for your organisation to address and reduce incidences of MSK related illness, which will benefit the employee as well as save the organisation money that would be lost through absence. Organising step challenges or walking meetings are simple but effective ways to address MSK health issues. Encouraging staff to be active for just 20 minutes per day has significant benefits as it reduces the incidence of MSK injury, as well as having wider benefits including reducing risks of depression by a third and up to 40% of some cancers (Business in the community, 2017).
How you can achieve this
All staff should be encouraged to participate in the recommended physical activity guidance for adults. A minimum of 30 minutes physical activity a week, broken down into 10 minute sessions.
Examples include:
- Promoting walking meetings
- Encouraging staff to take leisure walks at lunchtime
- Providing space for staff exercise sessions at lunchtime or after work
How you can show you have achieved this
- Results of HNA survey showing employees’ physical activity levels.
- Verbal discussions with staff.
- Examples of guidance given to staff to encourage more physical activity in the organisation.
- Examples of opportunities available eg lunchtime walking groups and routes or exercise sessions available.
Toolkit - National Resources
British Heart Foundation active challenges:
NICE guidance on promoting physical activity in the workplace.
BBC Sport ‘Get inspired’ website with information about many different sports and how to get involved. It also includes a search facility to find sports clubs/activities near to you.
The Activity Alliance- Organisation that supports and promotes sport for people with disabilities. Helps you find activities to suit the individual if you are disabled.
Fitter Better Sooner is library of resources developed by the Royal College of Anaesthetists to provide patients with the information they need to become fitter and better prepared for an operation.
Benefit From Activity website – The information for this patient site has been taken from the RCGP fact sheets with the medical jargon removed. With the same evidenced information. it means information is synergistic between health professional and public.
10 Today. 10 Today is an exercise programme launched by a host of experts and led by older people, for older people. It provides a series of easy and accessible 10-minute broadcasts, which can be done almost anywhere and at any time, in a group or alone, standing up or sitting down, and which can be adapted to different fitness levels. 10 Today aims to increase physical activity amongst older people across the country, helping to improve physical and mental wellbeing. Watch the workouts.
This Girl Can is a national campaign developed by Sport England and partners to inspire women to move more and prove that judgement is a barrier which can be overcome.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has information on exercise and mental health for young people.
Walking
Ramblers – Find a walk or route near you tool.
information can be found on the walkit.com website by using their urban walking route planner.
Walking Britain – Find walks by me tool.
Walk4life - A useful walk site for the UK with a simple ordnance search map to look for walks anywhere in the UK and a useful widget device (puts their website direct on your own website). The widget can be loaded onto business websites, public companies’ websites etc. Individuals who sign up free can put their own walks on and monitor their own fitness via the website.
Walk Unlimited -The home site of the organisation behind Walk4life and Benefit from Activity. They have several useful websites on healthy lifestyle and a site of ‘Dr maps’ with examples of maps which have been created for GP surgeries, hospitals or businesses. Why not get walking maps around your health establishment for yourself, staff and patients.
Walking for Health - England’s network of walking schemes.
Let’s Walk Cymru - Wales network of walking schemes.
Paths for All – Scotland’s network of walking schemes.
Walk NI - Northern Ireland’s network of walks and groups.
The Daily Mile - Encourages school children to become active.
Running
Information by ParkRun.
NHS- Find a run or race near you tool.
Couch to 5k -The starting course from sedentary through to running with a 9-week course of training podcasts.
Goodgym is a community of runners that combines getting fit with carrying out tasks for the community.
Cycling
Events run by BritishCycling.
Find a local bike ride or group using the Let’s Ride website.
NICE guidance on promoting physical activity in the workplace.
For a more in depth look at promoting physical activity, look at the BITC toolkit.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing app, developed by Somerset Public Health, helps people improve their well-being through everyday activities.
NHS One You has resources on the following issues; stress less, eat better, alcohol, smoking, physical activities and sleep.
Calendar of national events from the NHS website.
Active working provides individuals and organisations helpful tips and resources on how to keep themselves active and engaged whilst at work.
Sustrans - The cycle charity promotes cycling as a healthier, cleaner and cheaper mode of transport. It provides advice and cycle routes available by a postcode search including National Cycle Routes which you can access.
Active Travel
What you need to do
Produce a current travel plan or action plan for staff.
Why this is important for you
Travel plans can help to increase accessibility while reducing congestion and air Pollution and can increase business efficiency and equality, which is why an increasing number of organisations are producing travel plans. A travel plan is when an organisation puts together a set of measures to encourage sustainable travel.
There are many benefits to implementing a travel plan including:
- Improving site access and travel choice.
- Meeting and excelling in environmental standards.
- Reducing congestion and demand for parking spaces.
- Ensuring adequate provision for people with disabilities.
- Delivering local environmental improvements from reduced congestion, pollution and noise, which increases the social value of the company.
- Improving health and fitness of employees.
Having an active travel plan will help get employees cycling and research shows that employees who cycle are fitter, healthier, happier and less likely to take sick days, where a survey of employees who cycle on the National Cycle Network found they take nearly half as many sick days as the average UK worker. This shows that promoting active travel is an effective way to promote health and wellbeing, as well as save money in the reduction of absences.
How you can achieve this
Travel plans are designed by organisations to encourage employees to think about the way they travel to work. The plan should promote informed transport choices including active and sustainable travel and raise awareness of the economic, environmental and social implications of car use.
How you can show you have achieved this
- A copy of the organisation’s travel plan.
Toolkit - National Resources
Transport for West Midlands have produced a document on 'Helping you deliver successful travel plans' for the West Midlands and beyond.
The Starley Network pulls together existing routes and towpaths, proposed new cycling infrastructure, and new pop-up lanes funded through the Emergency Active Travel Fund. Local authorities have worked closely with TfWM to link their local cycling plans into a region-wide network for the first time, showcasing the true scope of the future cycling network.
Walking/cycling
Information regarding Walking and Cycling can be found on the following websites. They all contain a search facility to find local routes, rides and activities:
Bikeability training providers
Public transport
Information regarding local and national public transport can be found on the Traveline website.
ENEI offer a range of events and training for members and non-members throughout the year.
Toolkit - Local Resources
Birmingham
The following web links has information on:
About Birmingham Connected Business Travel Network
Coventry
The following web links provide information on active travel and cycling in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The Coventry City Council website has information on support available on how to improve wellbeing in the workplace.
Healthy Lifestyles Coventry is a free support service to help you to lose weight, give up smoking, get more active, cut down on alcohol, improve your overall wellbeing and get a free NHS Health Check.
Best-You Coventry is a free online self-care app and website to assist you on your journey to a healthy lifestyle.
Dudley
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council has information about road safety for residents in Dudley.
Sandwell
The following web links provide information on:
Cycle map from Travel Plans
Cycle map from Travelwise – Hard copies can be obtained by calling 0121 569 4889.
Solihull
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has information on:
Alternatively, you can email the Solihull Council, Sustainable Travel Team sustainabletravelteam@solihull.gov.uk.
Walsall
Bikeability provide training on cycling such as road safety.
The following web links provide information about the active travel map in Walsall including a map and public transport information.
Wolverhampton
City of Wolverhampton Council provides information about cycling in Wolverhampton.
Toolkit – Regional resources
The information below covers Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Information can be found at West Midlands Network on the following:
- Combining cycling with public transport
- Cycle hire options, for example Brompton bike hire
- Routes, maintenance, safety advice and cycling tips
Find out more about the community cycling clubs and latest events including free led rides and walks.
Sign up to the Cycling and Walking newsletter for the latest regional updates.
What you need to do
Establish a cycling mileage rate on par with petrol mileage rates.
Why this is important for you
Cycle mileage rates for work events and meetings is a good way to promote this behaviour. It can also be more cost effective for shorter journeys, providing cycling mileage rates is considerably cheaper than the cost of paying car expenses and car parking fees required.
How you can achieve this
Promote cycling instead of driving to work events and meetings by establishing a cycling mileage rate equivalent to petrol mileage rates. Ensure that staff are aware of the cycling mileage rate and know how to claim this.
How you can show you have achieved this
- Example of guidance given for cycling mileage.
- Verbal discussions with staff.
Toolkit - National Resources
The government has information on cycle mileage rates.
Network West Midlands have produced a document on ‘Helping you deliver successful travel plans’ for the West Midlands and beyond.
ENEI offer a range of events and training for members and non-members throughout the year.