Activate Your Workplace was developed by The Centre for Workplace Health in 2007 to address the need for sustainable workplace health solutions.

In September 2005 The Centre for Workplace Health was awarded funding to deliver a two year project in Newham University Hospital NHS Trust as part of the National ‘Well@Work’ project. The Centre also began to work with Carphone Warehouse (head quarters) to deliver a workplace health project, called ‘Balance’ in North Acton from January 2006.

Building upon a similar methodology to these projects a more sustainable and innovative model for workplace health was launched in April 2007. Activate Your Workplace (AYW) piloted a new method, where the role of a Workplace Health Champion was established. A Workplace Health Champion is an appointed individual in the workplace who can be from any department, although most frequently from Human Resources or Occupational Health. Through training and support, the project aimed to equip Champions’ with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deliver and evaluate a healthy workplace programme. This consisted of interventions and policies that promoted employee health and wellbeing.

The project was piloted in twelve different workplaces, which were drawn from all regions across London.  Workplaces included those from the public and private sector and spanned across different industries such as retail, health, local government, and the construction industry. The workplaces included:

• Bovis Lend Lease (Stratford)
• Lend Lease (Hanover Square)
• Covent Garden Market Authority
• Croydon Council
• Gate Gourmet
• Learning and Skills Council
• London Borough of Sutton
• MCPS-PRS Alliance
• Sainsbury's
• Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust
• The Probation Service
• Uxbridge College

A staff health survey and a worksite audit were conducted, which helped the AYW team gain an insight into the health and welfare needs of each workplace. ‘Discovery Interviews’ were also undertaken to learn about why the organisations were interested in becoming a healthy workplace and what their measures of success would be.

With a budget of just £1500, and less than a year to develop a programme from survey period to offering a variety of activities, the AYW Champions have demonstrated the huge potential for this model of delivery.

Whilst still in its early stages, results from AYW have shown staff engagement in activities and improved staff morale. The issue of employee health and wellbeing has risen on the agenda for all Activate Your Workplace organisations.