
An exciting initiative launched on Tuesday, showcasing Cornwall’s best practice in the workplace, recognising over 20 exemplar organisations.
Duchy Health Charity’s Health & Wellbeing Conference and Awards, took place on Tuesday 14th October, at Royal Cornwall Showground’s Pavillion Centre, seeing over 100 people attend.
The one-day conference launched Duchy Health Charity’s series of new initiatives to improve health and wellbeing across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, highlighting the importance of health and wellbeing in the workplace.
The event communicated best practices and inspirational success stories, recognised achievements through awards to exemplar initiatives and provided networking opportunities to inspire ideas on how to create a healthier workplace.
A line-up of exceptional speakers included: Sarah Newton - Chair of HSE; Professor Dame Carol Black, Government Adviser and Chair of the Centre for Ageing Better and Chair of Centre for Homelessness Impact; Professor Anthony Woolf - speaking on Musculoskeletal Health; Dr. Alison Flanagan, British Society of Lifestyle Medicine; Matthew Thomson, WorkWell Consultant, ICB; and Kate Mitchell, Relationship and Strategic Director, Age UK Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.
The event covered different aspects of ‘working well’ and what is needed to promote health and wellbeing, prevent health problems arising in the workplace and how to support people in work with health conditions.
Barbara Vann, Chair of Duchy Health Charity said:
“We were thrilled to welcome an inspiring lineup of speakers and leading experts who shared insights into national and emerging priorities in the ‘Health and Work’ field. The programme offered valuable opportunities to learn from local examples of best practice - celebrating the incredible work happening right here in our communities.
Awards were presented to 23 organisations that demonstrated high levels of commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of employees including: Coastline Housing, Cornwall VSF, Cornwall Rural Community Council, Nancealverne School, Phoneta, Stephens Scown and Whyfield*.
Professor Anthony Woolf – Trustee of Duchy Health Charity and keynote speaker said:
“The conference communicated what good practice looks like and showcased examples from across Cornwall, with awards presented to exemplar initiatives. It was an opportunity for employers, not for profit organisations, social and community groups, and Councils etc., to share their challenges and demonstrate their achievements and ambitions in the areas of improving health and wellbeing for people of working age.
Barbara continued:
“Duchy Health Charity would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the event possible, especially our dedicated Award Assessment Panel: John Brown – Chief Executive, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce; Rachel Wigglesworth – Director of Public Health (Interim) at Surrey County Council; Professor Antony Woolf – Duchy Health Charity Trustee & MSK Expert; Jade Hanson – NHS Team Manager, Children & Young People Eating Disorder Service; and Olivia Miller – Duchy Health Charity Trustee & Associate, Stephens Scown. We are also grateful to the many local business networks who helped promote our event and champion health and wellbeing in the workplace across Cornwall.”
Professor Dame Carol Black said:
“Health and wellbeing in the workplace has never been more important. At the moment, our country is going through a difficult period of economic inactivity and the rising number of people experiencing ill-health which limits their capacity to work. We need to do all we can to keep people well and happy in their jobs, ensuring a healthy workplace culture and appropriate interventions.”
Duchy Health Charity supports the improvement of the health and wellbeing of the
people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by awarding grant funding to organisations to enable innovative projects aimed at promoting the prevention and relief of sickness.
The Charity is keen to extend its reach and influence across Cornwall and the Isles
of Scilly through encouraging other organisations to focus on the health and wellbeing
of their employees, clients and service users and the wider public.
To help the organisation achieve these aims, Duchy health Charity is advancing best practice through recognising and sharing initiatives that improve health and wellbeing in different settings throughout the life course – growing well, working well and ageing well; with this first conference focussing on working well.
To find out more visit https://duchyhealthcharity.org/health-and-wellbeing-conference/