Current Students and Staff

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Members of the H&S team collecting the award for Wellbeing Initiative of the Year award

1 May 2018

Loughborough wins international Wellbeing Initiative of the Year Award

Loughborough University has won an international award for its efforts and initiatives to promote staff wellbeing.

The recipients of British Safety Council International Safety Awards – a global competition that is highly regarded by those at the cutting edge of health, safety and environmental management – were revealed at a gala dinner in London last Friday (27 April).

Loughborough was announced as the winner of the Wellbeing Initiative of the Year Award for the work the institution, in particular the Health and Safety team, has done to promote and demonstrate a proactive and effective approach to improving worker wellbeing.

Health and wellbeing is at the heart of the University’s strategy and, over the past year, professional and academic departments have worked together to deliver a programme that aims to help staff feel more positive and expand the wide range of advice and support on offer.

From campus walking routes mapped out by the Sustainability Team, to free ‘give it a go’ roller hockey classes led by Loughborough Sport, a number of initiatives have been developed on campus to boost employee morale.  

The University’s workforce has also benefited from academic research on topics such as setting goals, getting a good night’s sleep and weight loss, all of which were highlighted in the recent PR health and wellbeing campaign.

The Chaplaincy and Counselling teams – alongside many other areas – have also worked hard to ensure staff have somewhere to go should they feel like they need to talk to someone.

Loughborough’s Mental Health First Aiders regularly meet with senior staff to highlight any issues and new practices are then adopted to try and combat these.

The wellbeing programme has resulted in increased mental health awareness, more open discussions, numerous wellbeing events and an overall healthier University community.

Commenting on the award victory, Neil Budworth, the Loughborough’s Health, Safety and Risk Manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award, especially as we were up against some really strong competition.

“It is particularly pleasing to see Loughborough University being recognised by an internationally respected body for the excellent work we have been doing in mental wellbeing. 

“An important part of the submission was that the initiative involved many people in many different areas across the University, to whom we are really grateful.  

“In my mind the award recognises the efforts of the Health and Safety team who have been absolutely pivotal in developing the mental well-being initiative. 

“In summary, we’re really chuffed.”

The Health and Safety team have also recently been shortlisted for The Best Health and Wellbeing Strategy Award as part of the IIRSM Risk Excellence Awards. The winner will be announced Thursday 24 May in London.

For more information on the services and support on offer at the University, including the Employee Assistance Programme (who you can contact 24/7 on 0800 111 6387), click here.