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

"The programme encourages organisations to look at prioritising the physical and mental health of employees.

Using the Better Health at Work programme, structure and guidance, the organisation has introduced a number of ways to improve individuals’ physical and mental health; whilst encouraging employees to take responsibility themselves".

- Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, Newcastle, Silver Level achieved 2024

Our Hospice values the health and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers and the award is a fantastic way to be able to formalise our approach and provide a structure and focus to delivering health and wellbeing campaigns to our workforce.

The award has helped us to plan and focus more strategically on our priorities for campaigns and events with regards to health and wellbeing, following the structure provided by the award and with support from our workplace health lead.

- St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham

"Our employees are our biggest asset, and we wanted to offer something that made a positive difference to their health and wellbeing.

The Award benefits businesses of any size. The structure it provides means employee wellbeing becomes embedded in your business as you work through the award levels.

Employees notice the improvements. Training and networking opportunities give great ideas for campaigns. And it is free!"

- Newcastle Carers, Newcastle, Maintaining Excellence Level achieved 2024

We started the award in 2020 as we were keen to help improve the wellbeing of our employees, particularly post covid. One of our values is putting people first, and we felt like this was a step in the right direction to achieve this.

We now have a team of 10 passionate health advocates to help improve the wellbeing in the office. It’s a great feeling when the office looks forward to the health campaigns and want to be involved. It feels as though the work we’re doing is benefiting our employees.

- Tritility Business Energy Consultants, Sunderland

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 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