About the Award

For too long, the North East has had a reputation for being of being an ‘unhealthy’ place to live and work; unfortunately borne out by our fairly shocking life expectancy rate and high long-term sickness and disability figures.

To help combat this, a partnership project unique to the North East was created and the Better Health at Work Award was established to take health and wellbeing into the workplace.

This partnership has now been taken forward by the Northern TUC, with the support and endorsement from Public Health England.

Workplace Health is an important and integral part of the regional public health strategy and is even more relevant in these challenging times, when companies need to use every tool available to ensure their productivity and competitiveness.

With more than 400 regional employers participating in the scheme so far, as well as the very favourable findings of at least two independent evaluations, both the need for and effectiveness of the Award for all concerned is clear.

Individuals benefit from increased access to health information and interventions where they wouldn't normally - in more than one instance, workplace activity generated by the Award has potentially saved lives - identifying dangerously high cholesterol levels and early stage cancers.

At the same time, employers benefit from improved morale, dramatically lower levels of absenteeism and increased productivity. There are few more apparent win-win situations.

You can download and view the Better Health at Work Award Employer Guide below, to read more on the award process, the structure of the award and find out about the role of health advocates.

Employer Guide

"Participating in the Award has provided access to support and resources that have shaped the delivery of our health and wellbeing programme, and established a structure in which health leads are recognized and rewarded through the Health Advocate role.

The Award has enabled us to plan meaningful delivery, aligned with local and national campaigns, whilst evaluating the impact on the workforce.

The visibility of the Award has established a level of expectancy in the delivery of campaigns which has maintained momentum and inspired innovation".

- Senstronics Ltd, County Durham, Silver Level achieved 2024

We joined the scheme to help us improve the health & wellbeing of our workforce not only at work but also at home. The campaigns and areas that we cover are varied and we try to include the workforces family and friends wherever possible.

The award is very well structured there is lots of information on the BHAWA website and we have lots of help at support. It has ensured that our organisations' Health & Wellbeing agenda is structured and well thought out.

- North East & North Cumbria ICB ,

"We know how important it is to feel good, physically, mentally, and emotionally, both at work and at home. The aim is to have a culture where wellbeing isn’t just encouraged, it’s part of how we work.

Through the award, we are building that culture.

The insights, support, and guidance we have received from the BHAWA team has been invaluable. They have helped shape a range of campaigns that have benefited our workforce and the establishment and from which we are seeing the positive impact already".

- HMP Frankland, County Durham, Silver Level achieved 2024

We participated to provide a further structure, focus and sustainable framework to our wellbeing programme.

The Award offers full support in terms of co-ordinator and resource information including best practice ideas and structured targets to aim for – it feels like we’re working together rather than in a silo!

- Northern Housing Consortium Limited, Sunderland

"We recognise the importance of prioritising employee health and wellbeing, not just as a responsibility but as a core part of our culture and values.

The Award has really helped us to move from ad-hoc initiatives to a more strategic, proactive and sustainable approach to supporting our people and wider communities. We particularly like the sense of community and shared learning with the Award coordinators and other workplaces who make wellbeing a workplace priority".

- END. Sunderland, Maintaining Excellence Level achieved 2024

"We knew the award would give our business some structure, accountability and credibility to our health and wellbeing strategy.

The award itself helps us stay focused and the data we receive from our annual survey is invaluable in helping to shape campaigns that really matter to our workforce".

- Robson Laidler Accountants Limited, Newcastle and County Durham, Maintaining Excellence Level achieved 2024