A year to inspire people to improve their fitness and wellbeing: Coventry and Warwickshire Year of Wellbeing, and European City of Sport 2019
The importance of wellbeing – our health and happiness, sense of purpose, and satisfaction with life – is something we often take for granted. But in 2019 a public campaign across Coventry and Warwickshire seeks to change that by inspiring everyone to recognise, celebrate and improve wellbeing to live better for longer. With sport and wellbeing inextricably linked the will dovetail into Coventry being named European City of Sport 2019.
Wellbeing plays a critical but sometimes invisible role in job satisfaction and performance, and it is well recognised that employers of choice use effective strategies to create good working environments, both for physical and mental health.
During 2019 the Year of Wellbeing will target some key themes including workforce wellbeing, starting conversations to tackle loneliness and social isolation, increasing physical activity, and celebrating excellent local services and people with real stories to tell. City of Sport will focus on similar themes with the aim of celebrating all kinds of movement – from competing at the top level to a stroll in a local park.
During 2019 The Wave waterpark will open – with its thrill rides and slides, 25m pool and spa it will offer a fun few hours. A new 50m pool at the Alan Higgs Centre and Warwick University’s Wellness Hub will both open in 2019 – both will be top class facilities.
Businesses can get involved with the Year of Wellbeing to start, or expand, workplace conversations about wellbeing. Here are just a few ideas that require little or no investment to get things going:
- Encourage staff to make a pledge for their own wellbeing and post it to www.onething.warwickshire.gov.uk
- Talk about your workforce wellbeing successes and challenges on social media using #LetDoThisTogetherCW. Use the hashtag to tell your stories about great health and wellbeing
- Make mental health awareness a priority. Do something on Time to Talk day, 7 February, using the downloadable resources: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/timetotalkday2019
- Do a Daily Mile – encourage staff to get out and move about to promote joint health. Find a mile’s walk from your premises to walk at lunch, or encourage staff to walk part of the way to work
- Get involved in Coventry’s European City of Sport 2019 programme, either as an individual or as a workplace!
- Consider getting health checks for staff onsite, or providing information about smoking, drinking, and substance use issues and how to cut down
- Do something for a local charity or community organisation, like fundraising, sponsoring an event, or volunteering staff time.
Watch this space for more information about wellbeing and sport. And don’t forget about your own wellbeing as a business leader. Take time for yourself – you’re worth it!
More information can be found in the Year of Wellbeing booklet here: https://www.bettercarecovwarks.org.uk/year-of-wellbeing-2019/our-vision/
You can sign up to receive City of Sport updates here www.coventry.gov.uk/cityofsport
