Pointing the healthy way ahead for firms (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Pointing the healthy way ahead for firms

8:39am Wednesday 10th November 2010 in Business By Chris Holland

A West Yorkshire health and well-being specialist could be one of the beneficiaries of the impending spending cuts that are set to cull around half a million public sector jobs.

Let’s Get Healthy, based in Cleckheaton, which runs positive health programmes, is braced for a strong growth in demand for its services as the axe falls on roles at local authorities and other bodies.

The firm was the brainchild of Maria Bourke, who returned to the Bradford area to establish the business after giving up a high-flying banking career which took her around the world.

She believes the programmes her company offers could be invaluable to help people cope with the stress and turmoil of losing their jobs – as well as helping those who survive the cuts to handle heavier workloads.

After a 20-year career in banking, including working at an executive level for two US-based banks, Maria believes she knows how to handle stressful situations.

While working in the United States, she had seen the success of workplace health programmes and decided to develop the idea in the UK.

Her managerial experience in the banking field has helped Maria to steer her business forward – ironically without borrowing any money from the banks.

Maria said: “We know that our redundancy health programme will benefit those people who have recently found themselves out of work.

“It has been shown that by improving personal health and well-being, this can help build confidence and self-esteem, help motivation and give people the opportunity to help themselves make healthy changes to their life, which will hopefully give support to finding further employment.

“Previous programmes have helped learners find new career opportunities.”

Let’s Get Healthy has continued to grow steadily as more employers have recognised the benefits to their staff and the organisation of looking after people’s well-being.

She believes that programmes to support people who are made redundant will help ease the way forward – something that was not offered by many organisations during previous recessions.

Let’s Get Healthy is being approached by public sector organisations looking to fund tailor-made programmes.

Clients have included international leisure brand Nike, as well as the NHS. The company has recently signed a deal to provide support for 180 adults in Teesside who have been recently made redundant, to help them get back on their feet and into work.

Let’s Get Healthy, in conjunction with Middlesbrough PCT and Middlesbrough Council, is delivering an eight-week training course for people who have been made redundant since January 2010, to help provide them with a platform for further employment, education or voluntary work.

It is estimated that in the North-East, between 20,000 and 50,000 public sector jobs are at risk, and many will already know if they have been affected after last month’s Spending Review.

Those facing redundancy can often suffer health and mental problems. Let’s Get Healthy’s positive activities programme aims to increase the skill levels of people through training in health and wellbeing activities.

The programme focuses on the benefits of healthy eating, physical activity, how to cope with stress and how to reduce health problems caused as a result of redundancy. It will also look to minimise negative mental health issues due to being unemployed and focus on promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Sam Gilmore, from Middlesbrough Council, said: “We are pleased to be working with Let’s Get Healthy, to deliver this positive programme that recognises and promotes the benefits of offering health and well-being activities to adults struggling to get back into work.

“Not only is this training designed to help people gain invaluable skills, but it’s also accredited by the Northern College of Further Education, enabling all learners to receive a qualification to enhance their CV.”

Let’s Get Healthy is also running a programme for 500 people in the NHS in the Barnsley and South Yorkshire area.

In addition to running the business, which now employs 12 full-time staff – who are encouraged to keep healthy and recently took part in the Great North Run – Maria is a key adviser to the Government on health and welfare matters.