Stagecoach West has been awarded the enhanced level of accreditation through the Healthy Workplaces Gloucestershire award for its support of employees' health and wellbeing.

A county standard of good practise, organisations are assessed through online standards and commitments in a range of areas from healthy eating to personal safety.

With more than 1,000 employees, Stagecoach West credits the Healthy Workplace scheme with reducing sickness absence and improving staff morale.

Health and wellbeing manager Jenny Powell said: "The biggest impact has been on members of our frontline team, a number of whom have commented on the positive effect the programme has had on their everyday roles.

"The scheme has helped us reduce staff sick days by almost a day per year per employee, while our staff turnover has been reduced from 25 per cent to an impressive 16 per cent.

"It doesn't matter how big or small your organisation is, the programme can be scaled up or down depending on the resources you have available."

She continued: "We are delighted to have been awarded the healthy workplace award. The accreditation process was really straightforward and the support from the Healthy Workplace coaches helped to get the whole organisation on board."

Bus driver Chris Martin is the wellbeing champion at the company's Stroud depot.

He said: "Since establishing our Wellbeing Team at the end of 2018, we have successfully developed practices to enable us to react quickly and support those colleagues who need help.

"In addition, we have assisted managers in understanding the wider issues that are affecting their team, and actively promoted healthy practices in the workplace.

"We know mental wellbeing can have a profound effect on our lives both in and outside of the workplace, which is why schemes like this are so important, particularly during the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many of our colleagues working from home or shielding."

The Healthy Workplaces Gloucestershire award supports organisations to improve their culture and working environment by providing opportunities to make lifestyle changes.

Find out more information at hwglos.org or call the team on 0800 122 3788.