Staff Take on the Healthy Workplace Challenge
9-4-2010
Connexions staff have committed to get fit by taking up Sport Reading’s 12 month Healthy Workplace Challenge.
There are both physical and nutritional aspects to the Challenge and each month has a different theme. March’s theme was “Stress Management and Relaxation” and staff took the opportunity to take a break from their hectic work schedules by participating in a lunchtime Tai Chi class held at the organisation’s Support Centre in Reading. The class was lead by instructor, Steve Large from Elite Tai Chi, who has over 20 years experience in practising Tai Chi. He explained some of the history of Tai Chi before leading the group through a series of "new style" exercises, known as a set.
Communications Manager and Healthy Workplace Challenge Champion, Chula Bishop, said, “One of the good things about participating in the Healthy Workplace Challenge is that it enables us to try new activities. None of us had ever done Tai Chi before, but we all really enjoyed it and we’re now planning to run a regular weekly class after work. We’ve got lots of other activities planned for the rest of the year, including aerobics classes, lunchtime walks and a rowing taster session. We’re also giving staff the opportunity to have regular health assessments, which include blood pressure and lung capacity checks.”
Theresa McGreevy, HR Adviser and Healthy Workplace Challenge Champion, said, “As an organisation we take a holistic approach to the health of our staff and participating in the Healthy Workplace Challenge is just part of our commitment to staff wellbeing. We hope that by encouraging staff to make small changes to their everyday lives that their physical and mental health will be improved and they will enjoy a better quality of life in the long term. We hope that by participating in the various activities, staff from different departments will get to know each other better, thus improving working relationships and helping us to achieve our organisational goals.”
To find out more about Sport Reading’s Healthy Workplace Challenge visit www.sportreading.co.uk/healthyworkplacechallenge
