Health Spark wins Flame award
A dynamic work place initiative that is proactively improving the health and wellbeing of staff and students at Southampton Solent University has won one of the most coveted awards of the health and fitness sector.
The University’s Solent Health Spark scheme – created in 2009 to deliver a wide range of programmes to improve the health and wellbeing of both staff and students – was awarded the ukactive & Matrix Flame award for ‘Work Place Well-being’ at a prestigious ceremony at Telford International Centre earlier this month.
Speaking at the awards, David Stalker CEO of ukactive said: “The Flame awards assessment process is known for being the most rigorous in the industry, so to just to make it into the list of finalists is a phenomenal achievement. The winners are undeniably the best of the best and a credit to our sector."
The Health Spark team works with external organisations and practitioners, as well as staff and students on the health and fitness courses to deliver a diverse programme that includes: stress busting initiatives; blood pressure and cholesterol testing to identify health risks; schemes to increase physical activity such as pedometer challenges, stair climbing campaigns and free bike servicing; as well as development and training courses that enable staff to learn new skills, increase their wellbeing and have fun.
Chris Dunn, Health Promotion Manager and Health Spark founder says, “Over the last four years we’ve worked hard to build a sustainable, accessible and valued programme, and we are absolutely delighted to be recognised in this way.”
Martin Skivington, Principal Lecturer on the University’s health and fitness courses, believes that one of the main strengths of the programme is the involvement of students studying on the wide range of sports courses at Solent.
“The students benefit from working with real clients, the staff benefit from improved health, and the University benefits from a reduction in absenteeism,” he says.
Keen to build on their success, the Health Spark team’s ultimate aim is to create an environment where taking action to improve health and wellbeing is a normal part of daily life at the University.
“We believe that improving the health and wellbeing of our community helps to make Southampton Solent University a great place to work and study,” adds Chris Dunn.
If you are interested in a career in the health and fitness industry, it’s not too late to apply for one of Southampton Solent University’s specialist sport degree courses. Visit www.solent.ac.uk/courses to find out more.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The University was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students. Solent Business School has been awarded the Small Business Charter Award, which is supported by the Association of Business Schools and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and ‘Gold approval’ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
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