Burnley College has won the Active Workplace Award presented by Sally Gunnel at this year’s prestigious Burnley Community Sports Awards, run by Burnley Leisure, in partnership with Burnley Council.
The Burnley Community Sports Awards have been established to celebrate local contributions to sport, physical activity and community development at work and in recreational or community projects. Representing those who show dedication at a range of levels, the awards pay tribute to those who work tirelessly to support individuals or clubs, all in the name of love for sport in the community.
Burnley College has a strategic approach to workplace health, with the Principal and both deputies leading by example as ambassadors for physical activity.
“Burnley College is committed to providing a ‘healthy college’ environment and continually strives to improve the health and happiness of students and staff. By actively engaging students and staff in the promotion of health and active well-being, we can achieve outstanding results, whereby the College is indicative of a positive attitude and mindset.” – Principal Hugh Bramwell.
All staff members are asked to set themselves a ‘healthy’ challenge as part of contributing to the College’s outstanding atmosphere of teamwork and fun activity, while fitness classes at the College’s sport and leisure centre Fitness Evolution are timetabled to allow staff to attend lunchtime activities too.
In addition, some College staff have achieved the Three Peaks challenge, and a remarkable 260 members of staff have reduced their metabolic rate by an average of three years, using state-of-the-art technology in Fitness Evolution to gauge their progress. Furthermore, a total of over 30 stone has been lost through personalised weight management courses.
With the successful increase of activity and an acknowledgement of the positive impact physical exercise has had on health and wellbeing, a healthy work-life balance has been achieved and now recognised with this Active Workplace award.
Recognising the importance of the links between promoting a physical lifestyle and a healthy diet, the College Fitness Manager now works alongside the College Chef, developing a healthy meal option for each mealtime, suited to the fitness regimes of staff.
“We recognise the importance of promoting a healthy environment for all, and we strive to embed this into our College ethos. The value of this award will undoubtedly attribute to the continuation of this.” – Deputy Principal Karen Buchanan
