Care home takes steps to help its workers keep fit
A CARE home group is handing out pedometers to every one of its 400-plus employees.
Staff at Springhill Care Group, based on Cannon Street, Accrington, will get the kit as part of a national campaign to support the workforce in the care industry, to encourage them to take an interest in their fitness levels and understand how much exercise they are getting during their working day.
The move is part of the group’s Caring Heroes initiative, which will also see staff encouraged to monitor how many steps they take while going about their jobs.
Employees will be able to set personal goals and to track them over time, and data collected will also help bosses at the care group to understand how they can better support their employees.
The company is already operating a range of activities, including offering staff healthy menu cards detailing easy and affordable recipes, and providing fresh fruit to encourage healthy eating.
Virginia Perkins, head of human resources for the group, said: “This is another commitment to the wellbeing of our staff, our most important resource. Many of our care staff walk significant distances every day as they go about their duties. We know it can be a physically demanding job and we are keen to learn more about the sorts of distances our staff are walking. The NHS for instance, launched a 10,000 step challenge which our staff can take part in if they wish.”
The Caring Heroes campaign has already received backing from MPs and Care England. To express support, people are encouraged to tell their stories on Twitter using the hashtag #caringheroes. newstraid.org.uk