Aycliffe Today Business AT Business Issue 30 | Page 13

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 13 Aycliffe Business Park to host Workplace Health and Wellbeing Seminar An interactive and informative seminar for Aycliffe businesses will be held at the Xcel Centre on Tuesday October 13 (between 8.15-10.30am). The free event is organised by PCP’s Better Health at Work Award team with the support of Business Durham and the Aycliffe Business Park Community. It aims to provide companies and their employees with information about improving staff health, wellbeing and morale. Attendees will benefit from a healthy breakfast, some interactive sessions and information about the Better Health at Work Award (BHAWA) and how it can create a healthier, happier workplace; as well as a healthy economic advantage. Lindsay Sheridan, PCP’s BHAWA prog ramme manager, said: “Most of our waking hours are spent at work, which means the working environment can play a big part in our health and wellbeing. “Participation in health improving activities through a workplace health programme allows individuals to develop knowledge, self-management and coping skills as well Better Health at Work Awards programme manager Lindsay Sheridan (right) with Aycliffe Business Park Community chair Kerina Clark. as build a social support network among co- workers, managers and family.” Evidence shows that workplace health initiatives can deliver a wide range of benefits, to both employers and staff. Employers report reduced staff sickness absence and turnover, increased productivity and employee satisfaction, and fewer accidents and injuries. The Better Health at Work Award is free and provides a framework to help businesses achieve this and workplace delivery and engagement is fundamental to its success. To book your place(s) at the event register at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abp-seminar-13- oct-2017-tickets-30847546843 Or contact Emma Gallagher at PCP on [email protected], telephone [phone]. Emma can also provide further information on the Better Health at Work Award or visit www. betterhealthatworkdurham.co.uk Royal date for Stiller couple Stiller Warehousing and Distribution husband-and-wife employees Julie and Jay Gilpin enjoyed a royal date at Buckingham Palace to represent their Aycliffe employers. Stiller was invited to the royal garden party earlier this summer to celebrate RoSPA’s (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Centenary in the capital. Julie was asked to represent Stiller after her work in helping Stiller to gain one of the highest industry-recognised standard safety accreditations this year. Office manager Julie and fleet and facilities manager Herbie Blaser worked with quality standards consultant Billy Naisbett, of Newton Aycliffe-based ISO Systems, over a seven-month period to attain ISO 18001 certification. Stiller drivers have also been awarded gold certificates after taking part in RoSPA’s driver assessor courses. Julie and Jay, who have both worked for Stiller for 16 years, met Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and his daughter, Princess Eugenie of York, during “high tea” in the palace grounds, amid glorious sunshine. “It was a wonderful day,” said Julie. “We shook Princess Eugenie’s hand and briefly spoke to her, when she was treated to a 30-second blast about Stiller from me! “We wandered around and they served us very posh food, including some bona fide cucumber sandwiches. It was a beautiful day and we were very proud to represent Stiller.” Stiller employs 140 people across a huge 20-acre site on Aycliffe Business Park, providing cost-effective warehousing and distribution services to businesses in the North-East region as well as commercial property lettings. More about Stiller can be found at www.stiller.co.uk