1. DWP St Austell BDC Well Being at Work (WB@W)

2. Useful information The Office houses 250 staff. Processes Benefit Claims: Employment Support Allowance, Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit. Active Sports and Social club (HASSRA)

3. Why Did we Start?

4. DWP were developing a “Live Well Work Well” policy across the whole of the Department. We decided not to wait and started down the “WB@W” road on 12 May 2009. Full Support of the Office Management Team was obtained at the outset. We also surveyed the staff, using their replies to form a programme of events. WB@W Team is made up of Representatives from all Sections across grades. Supported by NHS Health Promotion Team. We encouraged each team member to take on a specific area of responsibility. This became a developmental challenge for them.

5. 2009 Events included Pedometer Challenge Lunch time walk around St Austell! Weekly stop smoking sessions started with 7 participants - 100% success. Shape up group started September, with 12 members. Blood donation session arranged with Cornwall Council. Free ‘spinning’ sessions arranged in the Leisure centre. Stroke awareness and blood pressure tests arranged in December

6. 2010 Planned events Staff lead Shape up Group Stress awareness sessions for staff. Motivational event for Managers and Team Leaders. Active travel day in March/April and staff survey – look at car sharing etc. Monthly health awareness sessions planned. Sun safe session being arranged.

7. Comments Staff reaction to two of the WB@W sessions; Shape up Group. Stroke awareness.

8. What went wrong! Not much BUT What would we do differently? –Pedometer challenge –Staff survey

9. Snakes and Ladders Snakes Funding!! –Has not enabled us to implement some of the suggestions staff made in the survey.

10. Ladders The positive attitude of the WB@W group has had a beneficial influence on staff within the office. Without funding we were able to be creative in our thinking. The HASSRA club and Management have supported ‘us’ financially but more could have been achieved with ‘funding’.. Staff have accepted the need to be realistic in their expectations.

11. Advice/tips Engage staff at outset. Management support at the outset. Do not dismiss ideas because of the lack of funds or they may appear to be unrealistic. Celebrate all achievements however, small. Keep going, remain positive; what ever is thrown at you!