Barratt Health & Wellbeing Month: Week 1 At Barratt we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees and are committed to providing a healthy working environment and improving the quality of lives for all who work here. We encourage the adoption of healthier lifestyles for our people and want to help support colleagues to take care of their own wellbeing. This October we’ll be focusing on various topics which can play a part in supporting our health and wellbeing. We’ll be sending emails and sharing updates on Our Place, providing details on the help and support available to colleagues and where to find out more information.
Physical wellbeing Our physical health and emotional wellbeing have a significant impact on our quality of life. Good physical and emotional health help reduce our risk of developing a wide number of health conditions.
Watch this short video on 5 Ways to Get Moving & Feeling better....
A state of physical wellbeing is not just the absence of disease. It includes lifestyle behaviour choices to support good health, avoid preventable diseases and conditions, and to live in a balanced state of body, mind, and spirit. The biggest benefits of healthy living are to reduce the likelihood of heart diseases, lung diseases and cancers whilst being able to be fit and active so that you can continue doing what you love doing. Being healthier isn’t just about doing the right thing and trying to achieve unobtainable health goals, it's about you making sustainable changes to fit your lifestyle and make you feel good. Check in with the NHS How Are You? quiz and get personalised ideas for immediate steps you can take to feel better and be a healthier you.
Useful links NHS Health Check: A great way to spot potential health problems and get help avoiding them. You may be eligible for a FREE CHECK via the NHS if you’re aged 40 to 74. Your hearts age: Is your heart age older than your real age? Take a test online to find out how healthy your heart really is. Blood pressure: Start managing your risk of high blood pressure today.
Did you know... Through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) partnership with Lifeworks you can access LIFT. LIFT provides a full suite of fitness offerings that make working out exciting, easy and efficient. Click here for further information.
Don’t forget... you also are able to access a range of voluntary and flexible benefits which can support your health and wellbeing, from health assessments and gym membership to cancer checks. Visit your My Barratt Benefits platform for further information. Remember... Healthy changes can start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, get active or quit smoking, why not check out NHS Better Health with lots of free tools and support. Plus you can find more tips on Our Place.
Barratt funded flu vaccinations There has never been a more important time to make sure you are protected against the flu. As social contact has returned to pre-pandemic norms there is likely to be an increase in flu during winter 2022 to 2023. Those colleagues eligible* to receive a free flu vaccination through the NHS are encouraged to do so via their GP or pharmacist. *Click here to find out if you are eligible for a free NHS jab. As part of our ongoing commitment to support colleague’s health and wellbeing we are partnering with Boots to offer a flu vaccination paid for by the Company for employees who are not eligible to receive one under the NHS Flu Vaccination Programme. Those eligible for the Barratt funded flu jab will receive an email inviting you to request a flu voucher in the coming days.
Barratt Health & Wellbeing Month: Week 1 Long COVID The time it takes for someone to get better from COVID varies from person to person. COVID-19 can cause symptoms after the virus has gone. Long COVID means your symptoms carry on for over four weeks after your COVID infection and you might even have new or different health problems. For more on these and symptoms please click here. Supporting your recovery after COVID Your COVID recovery is an NHS resource here to support you and help you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery
What should I expect while I am getting better from COVID? If new or long lasting problems do occur and you are worried about them, you should seek medical advice and support. For more information please see the NHS When do I need to seek help page.
Did you know?
Getting vaccinated against the virus reduces the likelihood of long COVID by around 50%.
Other support Please also be aware that Vitality are able to offer support for those struggling with COVID and long COVID. From virtual and face-to-face appointments with a private GP to mental wellbeing and physio self-referrals. Please check out the Health section of the Vitality Member Zone. Please also remember that your Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provided by Unum LifeWorks is here to support your emotional wellbeing 24/7/365 on 0800 048 2702 or visit https://unumuk.lifeworks.com/ (user id: unum password: lifeworks).
STOPTOBER Stopping smoking is one of the best things you'll ever do for your health. When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you'll be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too, and they start almost immediately. Did you know? If you can make it to 28 days smoke-free, you're 5 times more likely to quit for good! Quitting tips Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone, but it's much easier with the right help. There are lots of support options available, try a combination that works for you. NHS Stoptober app Stoptober is a 28-day stop smoking challenge. Download the FREE NHS Stoptober / Quit Smoking app (any time of year) via the App Store or Google Play to help you quit smoking and start breathing easier. For more search ‘Stoptober NHS’. Access Stoptober 2022 posters here. Other ways to quit... Get your free personal quit plan Get daily email support, 28 days of stop smoking advice and tips Call the free National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044 to talk to a trained adviser for advice and support.
What's coming next week? Next week we will provide information and signposting for the mental health support available in conjunction with World Mental Health Day on Monday 10 October.
For information, tools and links on many areas of health and wellbeing please click here to visit our My Barratt Benefits website. For any queries or suggestions, please contact handw@barrattplc.co.uk.