Rhyl City Strategy values the promotion of health and wellbeing in the workplace.  As an active and enthusiastic participant in Public Health Wales’ Small Workplace Health Award Scheme, we were delighted in 2011 to be the first company in Wales to gain the Gold Small Workplace Health Award.

 The Small Workplace Health Award is the national mark of quality for health and wellbeing aimed at organisations employing fewer than 50 people.  It is funded and accredited by the Welsh Government, as part of its Healthy Working Wales programme to support improvements in the health of the working age population. It awards good practice and improvement, and supports the development of activities that promote the health and well-being of employees. 

Rhyl City Strategy was one of ten organisations involved in the original pilot of the Award Scheme.  Our work for the awards has been driven by a dedicated working group of staff members from across the organisation.  The work has focussed on areas including commitment, engagement and managing pressure and stress, as well as ‘healthy lifestyles’ topics including healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco.  As well as developing staff policies around flexible working, we have held ‘lunch and learn’ sessions for staff on nutrition and alcohol awareness.  We  have also attended a workshop in managing pressure and stress, and enjoyed a team-building event at the Treetops Adventure High Ropes course at Betws-y-Coed.  In working towards the Gold Award, staff also developed a set of personal goals to improve their health and wellbeing.

Having achieved the Bronze Award in 2008 and then the Silver Award, we were delighted in 2011 to attain the coveted Gold Award.  We are now continuing with our workplace health improvement programme, and are happy to offer advice and assistance to other organisations wishing to become involved in the Awards Scheme.

“The Welsh Government launched the Small Workplace Health Award in 2009 to specifically engage businesses and organisations with less than 50 employees in our healthy workplaces initiatives. We are delighted to see the first employer progress to the prestigious Gold award and congratulate Rhyl City Strategy on their achievement.” Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell

 ”Safeguarding and improving the physical and mental health and well-being of employees at Rhyl City Strategy is of utmost importance to the business. The positive culture within this organisation shines through as it is clear that staff have increased morale as they feel valued and motivated.” Paula Jenkins, Workplace Health Advisor of Public Health Wales

 ”This is a well-deserved award. Rhyl City Strategy is an exemplar employer where the health and well-being of staff is firmly embedded in the organisation’s culture. It is proof that such an enlightened approach helps boost the morale of employees and produces a happy workplace. We commend their example to other SMEs across Wales.” Independent WHA assessor, Ava Fine

Free support and advice is available for businesses and organisations of all sizes to develop health and well-being initiatives in the workplace through the Welsh Government’s ‘Healthy Working Wales’ range of programmes.  Link: www.healthyworkingwales.com

  

Staff personal goals

“My personal health & well-being goal is to maintain my new weight, having shed 4 stone 5 pounds, and to increase exercise to tone up.”Eileen

“I am eating more fruit and vegetables than ever before including growing some potatoes and carrots in the back garden! I plan to plant some other varieties over the Easter period which is also encouraging my young boys to eat more vegetables.  Spending time together is very important to me and my general well-being, so my goal is to make sure at least once a week we go out as a family doing some kind of activity such as walking, cycling, football in the park etc… ”
Mark

“I have started eating more healthily, and since the recent session on nutrition I now look at food packaging labels more closely; due to this I have also lost some weight. I have started doing Zumba classes, and feel that I would definitely like to try more exercise for the future.”Paula

“I have embarked on a six week programme of exercise and healthy eating.  I will be cycling to work at least twice a week, walking/jogging/running round Marine Lake at least twice a week and I am sticking to a healthy diet through professional advice. When away from work I shall maintain the healthy eating plan and factor in various exercise options e.g. cycling along the prom or walking such as going to Aber Falls – “weather permitting!”: Jennie

“My goal is to run 5 miles non-stop within the next 6 months.”: Graeme

“My goal is to increase my mountain running mileage; I aim to finish work by 4 o’clock on at least one day a week so I can get properly up into the hills after work. Also to cut out sugary foods and eat more fruit and nuts.”: Ali

“My goal is to increase my personal fitness and cycle/walk to work at least three times a week weather permitting!”Susan