Wealden is first local authority to receive gold award for wellbeing

Less than a year after achieving the silver status for the Wellbeing at Work award, Wealden District Council has achieved gold status in the award and is the first local authority to do so.

The Wellbeing at Work Award scheme was launched in August 2021 and recognises employers’ commitment to supporting employee wellbeing through an accreditation programme. The programme is operated by Public Health at East Sussex County Council and is the county standard of good practice in health and wellbeing in the workplace.

The gold award was presented to the council by officials from East Sussex County Council in recognition of Wealden’s continued journey to improving the health and wellbeing of employees.

To achieve the gold status, the council had to give evidence that specific criteria was met, covering a range of topics and initiatives including - physical activity and active travel, healthy eating, mental health, sickness absence, substance misuse, leadership management and workplace culture.

Some of the evidence produced included the council’s provision of on-site cycle storage, access to leisure centre facilities including discounted membership rates, body balance and mindfulness sessions, introduction of dedicated groups for Menopause and men’s health, as well as many policies put in place to improve the wellbeing of employees.

Councillor Greg Collins, Alliance for Wealden (Green Party), and lead councillor for Finance and HR, said, “I am delighted that Wealden has now achieved a hat trick and received the gold award so soon after the silver and prior to that, the bronze.

“It is testament to the fact the council provides the high-quality wellbeing support to its employees and continues to make them all feel valued. This all helps Wealden District Council to be a great place to work as we recruit and retain the best people we can to serve our residents well.”

Photo of presentation (L-R) Stewart Marquis (Wellbeing at Work Public Health Practitioner), Georgie Chesman (Wellbeing at Work Project Officer), Karen Rosier (WDC HR Business Partner), Kim Pocock (WDC Wellbeing Project Officer), Matt Ellis (Wellbeing at Work Programme Co-ordinator)

Further details about the Wellbeing at Work programme can be found at Homepage - East Sussex Wellbeing At Work