Team Ipswich Fit for Work Trail-Blazers selected

The businesses were selected by the Team Ipswich board following attendance at the Fit for Work Breakfast Seminar - at which Olympic hero Kris Akabusi promoted the benefits of supporting a healthy workforce.

All five Trail-blazers have identified a workplace champion who will be supported by Team Ipswich throughout 2009 and shall be receiving a package of benefits including £500 to spend on activity related equipment/services to increase participation in sport and physical activity. Trail-blazers will also have access to a range of other services including work-place massage, yoga, dance and smoking cessation services from Suffolk Stop Smoking, as part of the Suffolk Healthy Ambitions programme.

The selected trailblazers are:

• Prettys,
• Copleston High School,
• Jewson Ltd,
• Call Connection, and
• Ipswich Building Society.

Team Ipswich Fit for Work Co-ordinator Claire Parker said: "Statistics have proven that active employees on average take 27% fewer days of sick that non active employees which equates to a saving of £135 per employee per year. With so many Ipswich businesses committed to improving the health of their workforce this can be seen as a brilliantly positive initiative for corporate Ipswich in a time otherwise characterised by rising costs and financial hardships."

In addition to recruiting five Trail-blazers, the Fit for Work initiative is also offering the local businesses an opportunity to take part in a 2009 Calendar Of Events. The events aim to support a healthier workforce by providing a number of taster and competitive activities throughout the year.

Why not take advantage of this exciting opportunity? For more information on the Team Ipswich Fit for Work Initiative please contact Claire Parker: 01473 432022 claire.parker@ipswich.gov.uk