THREE more Worcestershire businesses have been recognised for taking steps to promote and improve the health of their workforces.

The awards were made at the bi-annual event of Worcestershire Works Well, the free accreditation scheme to support local businesses to improve the health and well-being of their employees, held at Wyre Forest District Council offices.

ISO Quality Services of Worcester and Oakland International of Redditch received their level one certificates and Interserve, also of Redditch, received its level two certificate.

The event was opened by Mark Garnier, Wyre Forest MP, and David Elliott of Health England. Mr Garnier said: “It was both a pleasure and honour to be asked to open the Worcestershire Works Well event. Guiding employers on how to deliver better work environments, tailored to the health and wellbeing needs of employees, is incredibly important. This is not about simply following rules: it is about learning best practice and how a healthy and happy wok force delivers better productivity. Worcestershire Works Well is an important organisation.”

Other key speakers on the subject of the event’s theme of mental health in the workplace, included Jo Min from MIND, who gave an overview of mental health, and her colleagues Ben Whelan and Chris Last, who provided a personal insight in to the varying attitudes within the workplace towards mental health. This was followed by an interactive quiz hosted by Worcestershire Health and Care Trust, followed by an introduction to “Worcestershire Healthy Minds”, a newly launched wellbeing hub providing local links to wellbeing support in Worcestershire.

Worcestershire Works Well also announced the launch of its new Special Recognition Award. Introduced by Sue Roberts, compensation and benefits manager, the award will aim to recognise businesses which have achieved over and above what would normally be the standard for accreditation at any of the levels.

Attendees were also invited to browse the various stands focusing on different aspects of workplace health to further increase their knowledge and help them promote healthy lifestyle choices in their workplace.