THE London 2012 Olympic Games are motivating workers across the region on a journey to fitness.
The North East Strategic Health Authority’s Workforce Workfit Challenge was launched last year to help businesses create opportunities for staff to engage in physical activity through work.
The programme was devised to create a lasting legacy leading up to and beyond London 2012.
More than 40 businesses applied for a share of £30,000 from the Workforce Workfit fund, which was launched in partnership with The Journal’s Great North Fitness Revolution to help Olympic-inspired activities get started.
A total of eight North East businesses won grants of between £500 and £5,000 and workers are already reaping the benefits.
The Workforce Workfit scheme recently won approval from NHS chiefs when the North East Strategic Health Authority team picked up a top award from Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards.
Now even more local workplaces are invited to join in the fun.
Elaine Wilson, the NHS North East Olympic ambassador who devised the programme, is today offering tips to those who want to set up their own Workforce Workfit challenge.
Elaine, who encouraged an impressive 60% of North East Strategic Health Authority staff to take part in regular fitness activities, said: “The Olympics are a great catalyst to try to get people in your organisation involved in more physical activity.
“Sometimes it’s hard to drum up enthusiasm in the ranks but the chances of doing this successfully can be greatly increased by following a few rules which encourage positive behaviour change.
“Involve your staff in designing the programme from the beginning to create a buzz about the new activities – give people a choice of classes, teams or fitness sessions from the outset and let them to vote on their favourite options.
“Look for staff with fitness expertise within the organisation to champion or deliver activities and always ask staff what the best time to do activities is for them.
“Use workplace premises wherever possible to save on costs and travel and find out if there is a budget to subsidise activities to start with or whether staff would be prepared to contribute themselves.
“Make sure you try out the activities yourself first so you are speaking from experience and check that instructors have the right kind of personality to encourage people with different levels of fitness.
“Give staff regular updates about how things are going and make sure some of the activity is competitive.
“Finally, ask for regular feedback from staff taking part – and make sure you listen to it.”
For more information on creating a Workforce Workfit programme, email Elaine Wilson at Elaine.wilson@northeast.nhs.uk