A Plymouth based branch of the Coop is celebrating after achieving the Wellbeing at Work Bronze Award with Livewell Southwest. This is in recognition of the support they have been providing to promote health and wellbeing throughout their workforce.
Coop Plymouth LSC has been working in partnership with Wellbeing at Work for the last twelve months. During this time they have established a wellbeing working group which involves their Wellbeing Champions, a health needs assessment, and have taken part in a variety of wellbeing activities including a darts championship and creating a reading/book corner.
Kath Hendrick, Engagement Support Assistant & a Wellbeing Champion for Coop Plymouth LSC said: “It’s been great developing our wellbeing steering groups and having the opportunity for interested colleagues to work with managers for the benefit of all of our colleagues. It’s been especially beneficial for two of our newest colleagues to get involved and bring fresh, new ideas to the table. The health needs assessment was my highlight as it gave us a true picture of how our colleagues were feeling and the changes they would like to see. As a result we have installed new bike racks, made changed to the canteen menu and provided lots of literature around various health topics”.
Another Wellbeing Champion from Coop Plymouth LSC said: “Never be afraid to ask for help as you are not alone – a problem shared is a problem that can be solved”.
In order to achieve a Wellbeing at Work Bronze Award, businesses have to set up a working group, carry out a workplace needs assessment, a health and safety assessment and establish Wellbeing Champions who are responsible for helping colleagues to keep healthy. Throughout the process they are supported by a Wellbeing at Work Advisor who offers support and guidance.
Daniel Lashbrook, Health Improvement Practitioner, said: “Coop Plymouth LSC has shown a passion to promote health and wellbeing throughout their workforce. They have worked hard to set up a wellbeing working group and to involve staff from across their workforce to be involved as Wellbeing Champions. From their health needs assessment they have identified areas to focus on such as mental health and I look forward to working with them as they continue to develop their workplace wellbeing programme.”
In May 2024, Coop Plymouth also moved on to achieving Silver by completing toolkits on Physical Health and Healthier Eating, Mental Health and MSK.
