Orwell has received a Gold Suffolk Healthy Workplace Award from Cllr Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Public Health and Public Protection.

The award recognises good practice among local employers in promoting the health and wellbeing of their people.

Organised by Suffolk’s Public Health& Communities team and other local health partners, the award offers Suffolk businesses of all sizes the opportunity to become accredited across eight standards: health & safety, mental health, physical activity and healthy eating, inclusive employment, leadership, attendance management, smoking & tobacco related ill-health and alcohol and substance misuse.

Michelle Harrison, Director of People and Culture at Orwell, said:

“We are extremely proud to have received a gold accreditation in all eight standards of the Health Workplace Award. Supporting our people to be healthy and happy has never been more important to us.”

“We are really focused on ensuring our colleagues have the support they need to stay well, and this includes having 24 trained Mental Health First Aiders across the Business.  We also have a team of 18 trained Wellbeing Champions who share wellbeing advice and offer support.  As an organisation we have very clear expectations for creating a healthy work/life balance.  We created ‘people partners’ to support workplace interventions and offer continuous learning and development. We are also working with partners in the wider community, such as our focus on men’s mental health in construction in partnership with Ipswich Town FC.”

“Going through the award submission process was a great way to reflect on all that we have achieved and consider what more we can do to improve things further. I would highly recommend the process to other local businesses.”

Cllr Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Public Health and Public Protection said:

“I am delighted to be presenting the Gold Healthy Workplace Award to Orwell Housing Association. They have demonstrated commitment to improving the health of their workforce at all levels, supporting people to work well across the organisation.

This award is an opportunity for Suffolk employers to celebrate the excellent work they are doing in this area, and I would encourage others to be inspired by Orwell’s example to seek accreditation and the benefits it brings.”

The award was presented to Orwell by Cllr Reid and Martin Seymour, Deputy Director of Public Health & Communities Suffolk, and will remain valid for the next two years.

For more information about the Healthy Workplace Award and how to apply, visit www.healthyworkplaceaward.org.uk/