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Workplace health champions

Workplace health champions are members of staff who promote health and wellbeing in their organisation. They work with management, HR, and employees to develop health and wellbeing events. The person in the role should:

  • have an interest in health and wellbeing
  • be approachable and helpful
  • have a basic understanding of healthy lifestyles

The workplace health champion is a voluntary role. There's no time limit, and it's fine if you decide to no longer be a champion - you just needs to let the employer know. From time to time the employer may check if the health champion wants to continue in their role.

Role of a workplace health champion

The role of the workplace health champion includes:

  • spotting areas of change in the physical workspace and engaging with line managers to develop solutions
  • offering sign posting to services where colleagues could get advice and support to improve lifestyle issues
  • engaging external speakers to come into the business to hold workshops on health and wellbeing of staff
  • promoting national health and wellbeing events throughout the business, putting up promotion posters, giving out leaflets for health campaigns, and promoting events like Stoptober and Stress Awareness Day
  • promoting healthy events in the workplace, for example walking or running groups, stair challenges etc
  • promoting wellbeing events such as reading groups, cooking, baking groups, arts and crafts
  • supporting managers and HR to promote health and wellbeing events within the workplace
  • supporting staff to take up health and wellbeing options in the workplace
  • being the point of contact in the team, helping colleagues who want to find out more about health and wellbeing events
  • acting as conduit between managers and staff

Find out more about the role of the workplace health champion.

Time required for the role

Staff should allow paid time for workplace health champions to undertake their role, including:

  • attending training
  • attending meetings with managers staff to develop and plan ideas for the workplace
  • supporting and running events
  • attending local network meetings where ideas can be shared and learning can be taken forward

Workplace health champions should let their manager know when they're undertaking work connected with the champion role.

Training and support

Workplace health champions can attend a free half day training course. This has been designed for all employees and managers, regardless of their training and skills. The course covers the background to health and behaviour change as well as the practical task of supporting staff and action planning to take the work forward.

We also hold twice yearly health champion network events. This allows health champions to share good practice, exchange ideas, and meet and find out how health and wellbeing providers can support your business to improve employee wellbeing.