Sunderland City Council has teamed up with a customer service centre and a national charity to promote the importance of health and wellbeing.
EDF Energy, based at Doxford International Business Park, hosted a special health assessment event for all employees, which included examinations of participants’ levels of body fat, water percentage, blood pressure and other indicators.
Staff were also offered advice on how to improve their health and wellbeing from EDF Energy’s Occupational Health team as well as Sunderland City Council’s wellness coordinator, Peter Tate.
A representative from charity Sustains, Lucy Fenwick, was also in attendance to give to advice on the benefits of cycling and tips on safe cycle routes to work.
Natalie Fucile, customer relations manager at EDF Energy Doxford, said: “The involvement from Sunderland City Council and Sustrans has been a great help in promoting health and wellbeing for our staff and through them to the wider community.
“We have seen some fantastic health improvements over recent visits and we hope to continue this through the partnership.
“Staff participation has been impressive and we are seeing more and more employees taking an interest in their own health and passing on the information they take away to friends and family.”
In a bid to support the health and wellbeing of its 1600 employees, the EDF has enjoyed completing many health-related milestones, including ‘Fit Clubs’ and activities led by health and wellbeing charities.
Peter Tate, wellness coordinator at Sunderland City Council, said: “EDF Energy is always a great place to visit because so many people are willing to participate and are really enthusiastic.
“I have seen some great improvements during my visits and look forward to documenting further milestones for the staff here.
“Our ultimate aim is to contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of residents across Sunderland as a whole, and I know we can rely on those at the centre to take on our professional advice and share tips to others.”
The EDF Energy Sunderland Centre was also awarded the North East Better Health at Work Award – Continuing Excellence level last year, which encourages businesses to spread health advice and support within the company and to the wider community.
This is the fifth consecutive year that the company has been awarded the NHS Better Health at Work Award, which is the highest award available.