Member Article

Company Challenge Supports Staff Health

A local Hull based care organisation is set to begin an innovative challenge to support employee health and wellbeing.

Hica Group, a not for profit organisation which runs 19 residential homes across Hull and East Riding and employs around 2,000 people, has launched its annual Step Challenge competition.

Teams are hoping to replicate the success of last year’s efforts, during which staff walked almost 34 million steps over four weeks and raised £814 for the company Shine Fund.

Penni Brown, chief executive of Hica Group, said: “The Step Challenge is a fantastic initiative as it supports the health and wellbeing of our team whilst also raising money for enriching activities for residents.

“The staff also include the residents in the challenge by organising outdoor activities and group walks. It encourages new and different ways to stay fit and healthy for everyone, while the competitive element makes it fun.

“We are looking forward to building on the success of the last competition, which gained fantastic feedback from those who took part. Participants noticed a positive change in their fitness levels and weight loss. The results have also encouraged other healthy changes in our staff, such as healthier diets and quitting smoking.”

The Hica Group Shine Fund is topped up regularly through fundraising efforts of those involved in the organisation. Staff, residents and the local community often take part in sponsored walks, bake sales and fayres, as well as a companywide lottery. The money goes towards items to support residents including tablet computers, reminiscence pods to support residents with dementia and other activities to support health and wellbeing.

The Hica Group operates a portfolio of residential care homes for older people, those with dementia and those with learning difficulties. The Hull-based company also runs a home care service providing approximately 11,500 hours of support and care from four regional offices in the North of England.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The Hica Group .