Where's the legacy?

Guest post: Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation.

This year we've witnessed the success of the greatest show on earth and we have been hearing a lot about health and wellbeing legacy-is there one? I'd argue there is and it's been created by staff in NHS organisations up and down the country.

In July 2010 myself and David Nicholson launched the NHS 2012 sport and physical activity challenge. The aim: to improve NHS staff health and wellbeing, reduce sickness absence and improve productivity using the inspirational power of London 2012, providing opportunities as part of or linked to their working day.



Why sport and physical activity and why the workplace?


When asked 'what are the barriers to you engaging in sport/physical activity?' many people cite the fact that they work full-time and don't have the time to exercise. I was keen to utilise that eight hour slot in people's working day to enable them to become more active. Not necessarily to push them in the direction of gyms or formal sporting activities but to create opportunities that engage them.


Why physical activity? The evidence base for the benefits of being active is very strong but the recent research into the impact of physical inactivity should be of greater concern to all of us.


Why sport? The power of the brand of sport to engage people in local communities cannot be underestimated. There are some fantastic examples of local rugby, football and cricket clubs collaborating to improve the health of local populations and we've collaborated with them to provide opportunities for NHS Staff in their workplace -touch rugby; NHS cricket; NHS football 5s.


Did it work?


In Leeds NHS staff clocked up more than 1million active minutes;


NHS in Somerset saved in the region of 100k by participating in the NHS Sport and Physical Activity challenge;


In NW over 60% of NHS orgs said staff were more engaged


In one London NHS org 75% of staff said:


-their attendance had improved


-More than 80% said they were finding it easier to carry out their work duties


In another NHS organisation:


-90% of staff playing sport said it improved their working relationships


-Sickness absence reduced from 4.09% to 3.78%


There is a legacy and it's created and being delivered by NHS staff.


Hear more from Mike Farrar at the Summit, 22nd November, London. Book your place now.


 

Guest post: Summit speaker Sally Gunnell on the real Olympic legacy

I’ve spent the last 7 years building up to a fortnight of competition.  As a British Olympic Association Ambassador, I did thousands of media interviews, sometimes spending 14 hours a day answering questions.  I led Olympic site tours.  Early ones involved hard hats, high viz jackets and plenty of imagination.  But later on, I found myself proudly pointing out the gleaming buildings in the Park.  I met with officials from LOCOG, the BOA, the IOC and Government.  The best part of the build-up phase was a fun run with thousands of others around the Olympic Park, days before the Games began.

 

I split the Games fortnight between Sky Sports’ studios (where I was doing some punditry) and the various Olympic venues, where I was shouting and screaming with thousands of others.  Unforgettable days.  But now it’s over, so what about the legacy?

 

For me, the legacy is about ordinary people.  I spend a lot of time talking with businesses and local communities about the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.  Businesses are working with me to set up employee well being programmes, I help out at countless community sports “tryout” days.  This is the legacy that matters; better health for the nation.

 

For most of us, small lifestyle changes will make a big difference.  There are leisure centres all over the UK, waiting to welcome us – regardless of age or experience.  Why not try a class or have a swim?  Go with friends or family and most importantly – enjoy it.

 

There is so much passion from across the fitness and leisure industry, trying to get people healthy and active, I am very proud to be speaking at the FIA Summit on 22 November. I can’t wait to hear about what is going on across the UK to ensure the Olympic activity legacy becomes a reality.

Book your place at the Summit now.

For more information on Sally’s Healthy Living workplace wellbeing programme visit www.sallygunnell.com, like Sally Gunnell Healthy Living on Facebook and follow @SallyGunnellHL on twitter. Sally can also be found tweeting at @SallyGunnell.