PCDT Latest News

PRESS RELEASE
5 March 2010

PCDT STAFF PUT THEIR BEST FEET FORWARD
TO WIN HEALTHY WORKPLACE AWARD

Penwith Community Development Trust is one of the first companies in Cornwall to gain an award under a scheme aimed at achieving national recognition for the county as the healthiest place in Britain to work.

The Workplace Health Award, launched last year by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, rewards good practice, and the Penzance-based charity achieved silver standard after staff met a challenge to trek across the United States – without leaving Cornwall.

Around 30 employees picked up a free pedometer and spent eight months competing to walk 3,452 miles, the distance from San Francisco to Maine. Following a neck-and-neck race to the finishing line, members of the winning team were each rewarded with a bottle of wine.

PCDT’s HR and central liaison manager Anna Hopkins, who plotted the teams’ scores on a giant map, said: “We were pleasantly surprised at the number of staff joining the challenge. It provoked a huge amount of friendly rivalry.

“It was good to hear the different ways that staff managed to boost their number of steps – parking the car further from the office, walking to meetings, and going for a lunchtime walk.”

Sue Guard takes Rocky for a walk

Chief executive Sue Guard and her dog Rocky now go walking twice daily as a result of the Pedometer Challenge. Sue was delighted when a neighbour told her: “I can tell you’ve been doing a lot more walking” – until the neighbour added: “…because the dog’s lost weight”!

Sue said: “I give myself a challenge of at least three miles a day, and I feel much better for it. Much to my family’s surprise, I go out whatever the weather, having bought some lovely new wellies."

And head of finance Clive Harrold, who built up an impressive number of steps, was jokingly accused by colleagues of clipping the pedometer to his dog’s collar to increase his score!

Anna Hopkins (right) and Val Johnson make a start on the workplace garden

The Healthy Workplace Award also recognised the effort which went into creating the Oasis, a productive courtyard garden at PCDT’s offices in Parade Street.
Oasis co-ordinator Val Johnson said: “I thought it would be great to transform a dull, empty area into a lovely green space, growing flowers and veg, where people could have lunch, or grab 10 minutes’ space in a busy day. We decorated tyres as containers, and planted courgettes, runner beans, sweet peas, lettuce, mint and tomatoes. Eight weeks later we cut our first harvest.”

PCDT staff enjoy a coffee break in the garden

Val, an aromatherapist, was also involved in a scheme to offer staff a free complementary therapy session, with the option of paying for further sessions. Besides aromatherapy, they could choose massage, reflexology, reiki or Emotional Freedom Technique.

Other elements of PCDT’s Workplace Health Award campaign include a health insurance scheme, and the installation of photovoltaic panels at the company’s offices. Staff have also being encouraged to get on their bikes to come to work: under the Cycle Purchase Scheme, they can pay for a new one in monthly instalments.

The Healthy Workplace silver award was presented to Anna and PCDT’s head of strategic development Dilys Down by Dame Carol Black, national director for health and work.

Anna said: “I am delighted that we have received the silver award, which demonstrates PCDT’s commitment to improve staff health and wellbeing in our workplace. We’re now planning even more activities for staff, including relaxation and Tai Chi sessions. We’re going for gold.”

For further information, contact Anna Hopkins on 01736 334652

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