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21 July 2008

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Employers can play a key role in getting the nation playing more sport, a new study has revealed.

Findings from the Well@Work pilot programme, the first of its kind in the UK, showed that workplace health programmes can have a big impact on levels of sports participation, fruit and vegetable intake and staff morale.

Led by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and funded by Sport England, the Department of Health and the Big Lottery Fund, Well@Work reached up to 10,000 employees in 32 workplaces across England over two years.

Activities people took part in included football, badminton, cycling, squash, running, rock climbing, rowing, dodgeball and golf.

The project involved a wide range of both public and private workplaces including a factory, a hospital, small and medium-sized companies, voluntary organisations and a call centre.

The research found that:

• Over 80 percent of the projects led to some increase in sport and recreation participation
• Popular activities included team-based events, competitions and ‘come and try’ sessions

Mihir Warty, Sport England Director of Policy and Performance said:

"Sport England was delighted to invest £647k in the Well@Work project and we welcome the positive findings in the report.

“Sport has an important role to play in creating a healthy and active workforce. We would encourage all employers to consider including sport in any healthy workplace initiatives for their staff. Innovative projects such as these can help to make sport a key part of everyday life for more people."

Sport England recommends that employers contact recognised national governing bodies of sport for advice and information about particular sports.

To read the Well@Work summary report, click here

To read the full report, click here

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