Rock-based Sharp’s Brewery has taken yet another Gold award – this time for its unwavering dedication to improving staff health and wellbeing. Following a rigorous assessment in 2020, the company is delighted to have received a glowing Gold Award in the Cornwall Healthy Workplace Awards 2021, recognising a whole range of in-house initiatives including, Sleep Hygiene Training, Life Leave and a Mental Health First Aiders programme.
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Healthy Workplace Award is a county standard of good practice and a quality mark of health and wellbeing in the workplace. The aim of the award is to act as a toolkit to encourage all employers to think about different ways to improve the health and wellbeing of their team members.
Sharp’s Brewery achieved a considerably high score against all nine of the criteria from health and safety and musculoskeletal health to balanced eating. The award judges particularly highlighted the brewer’s creation of a new Health and Wellbeing Week and the continual support, care and commitment given to the team throughout the Coronavirus crisis.
Like many businesses, the recent pandemic has had a profound impact on Sharp’s Brewery with production having to decrease significantly during various stages of lockdown while pubs were forced to close. The majority of the team were furloughed, but the company remained committed to keeping in regular contact with the team through weekly updates with a clear focus on health and wellbeing.
Sharp’s team members were also encouraged to participate in the “Brewery to Beyond” physical activity challenge of completing 1,000km in 60 days and to share their photos of fun activities or happenings during their time on furlough. Sharp’s has also trained up some 12 Mental Health First Aiders in the last year so there are now 14 in total across the business who are very proactive in supporting individuals during all hours.
A “Moments that Matter” programme has seen the introduction of ‘Life Leave’ – providing ten days’ leave per year for staff to use instead of using their holiday entitlement for things like moving house and ‘Summer Hours’ which enables staff to work more flexibly over the summer months to enjoy the warmer weather and our beautiful surroundings.
‘Free Fruit Friday’ was introduced during the Health and Wellbeing Week. All company managers have completed ‘Making Every Contact Count’ training enabling them to support their staff more effectively and shift workers have taken sleep hygiene training courses to help them develop healthier habits and routines.
Junior HR Business Partner at Sharp’s Brewery, Nina Griggs said, “We are absolutely delighted to have won this Gold award for our continued dedication to the wellbeing of our team, especially given the challenges of the past twelve months. Wellbeing is so important at the best of times, and can be really fragile, particularly during these unprecedented times. Our team is the lifeblood of the company and we’re always considering creative and innovative ways in which we can elevate employees’ quality of life. The feedback from the work we have done has been phenomenal, the changes have really made a difference to peoples’ lives, which is wonderful. It is fantastic to be recognised for this.”
To find out more about Sharp’s Brewery, its team and opportunities, please visit www.sharpsbrewery.co.uk. For further information on Cornwall Healthy Workplace, visit: www.healthycornwall.org.uk/organisations/healthy-workplace/healthy-workplace-award.
