News Details

After submitting a portfolio of evidence, Edinburgh Napier has retained its Healthy Working Lives Gold Award.

The Healthy Working Lives programme aims to support Scottish employers and employees in creating a safer and healthier environment to work in.

A number of different teams, initiatives and studies have helped the University retain its gold award. See below for a selection…

• Move More
  
  Move More is a programme which aims to support people affected by cancer to get active. It involves gentle exercising such as movement classes, gardening and group activity sessions. As well as the physical health benefits, the programme gives attendees the opportunity to meet people going through similar experiences and to create a support network. The initiative is a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, Edinburgh Napier’s [En]gage and Edinburgh Leisure.
  
  
• Active Steps
  
  Active Steps is a gentle exercise programme run by [En]gage at Edinburgh Napier. It’s designed to support people with long-term health conditions lead healthier, more active lives.
  
  
• Mental Health First Responder training
  
  Staff Mental Health First Responder training was provided by the University’s Property & Facilities team in early 2017. The sessions raised awareness of the importance of mental health in the workplace and equipped staff with the knowledge to offer support and guidance to others.
  
  
• Healthy Heart Day (and other healthy lifestyle events)
  
  The University held a Healthy Heart Day on 14 February 2017 which offered free ‘body MOTs’ to all staff and students. Included in the MOTs were cholesterol checks, blood pressure and BMI calculations, along with guidance on healthy lifestyle and exercise.
  
  Various other health and wellbeing initiatives which have helped the University retain its Healthy Working Lives Gold Award include first aid defibrillator and Epipen training, health, safety and fire awareness workshops, Dr Bike risk assessment workshops and therapy sessions.
  
  
• Health and wellbeing research
  
  Research within the School of Health and Social Care is strongly aligned with the needs of the NHS. As well as spearheading a new study in compassion in nursing, the School recently helped NHS Lothian develop ‘Survive and Thrive’ - a gentler therapy method for survivors who find trauma-focused counselling too challenging. The School of Applied Sciences and the Business School have also carried out research which has furthered understanding of health and wellbeing delivery and helped contribute to the University’s Gold Award.
  
  
• International research
  
  In Europe, Edinburgh Napier is working with other researchers on e-health projects to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the latest advances in digital communication. In Indonesia, research into customers’ perception on the ethics of tobacco marketing is helping to tackle dangerous levels of tobacco consumption among young boys. You can learn more about this study here.
  

The Healthy Working Lives movement at Edinburgh Napier is led by the Health & Wellbeing Group. The team is comprised of staff and students from across the University who have come together to promote a positive health and wellbeing culture.