Registered charity Sport Aberdeen and NHS Grampian have come together in a community wellbeing partnership.

The move is aimed at getting more NHS employees healthy and active through increased participation in sport and physical activity.

Over 15,000 NHS Grampian staff could benefit from discounted memberships and access to ongoing support through the Sport Aberdeen Active Workforce programme; a bespoke fitness offering for public, private and third sector organisations.   

According to Government figures 131 million working days are lost to sickness absence every year in the UK, with 14.3 million days being due to stress, depression and anxiety.

It is widely acknowledged that both physical and mental wellbeing, alongside staff morale, can be significantly lifted by participating in regular exercise, and through this partnership all employees will be provided with more opportunities to enjoy a healthier lifestyle, including:

• Discounted Sport Aberdeen memberships, giving access to 19 venues citywide, for anyone who lives at the same address as an NHS Grampian employee including those from outside Aberdeen City;
• Membership options for ages three to 65+ years;
• Support from experienced and qualified Health and Wellness Advisors

Keith Gerrard, Sport Aberdeen Director of Healthy and Active Communities, commented on the partnership:

“NHS Grampian employees are incredibly hard working and provide a hugely valuable service to the people of the north east of Scotland. We are thrilled to be working in partnership to support and champion a move towards a more active and healthier workforce, and all of the benefits that brings. 

“It is our hope that this partnership approach will be adopted by other regions, helping to get as many people active across Scotland as possible.” 

Rachael Little, NHS Grampian Employee Director, said: 

“We are delighted to launch this partnership with Sport Aberdeen. 

“It will be of real benefit to our staff and help ensure they have the opportunity to take part in regular exercise and help look after their own physical and mental health as a result.” 

Sport Aberdeen currently works closely with NHS Grampian to deliver a number of exercise referral programmes including the pioneering Move More Aberdeen initiative, aimed at reducing costs and freeing up NHS capacity by adopting a preventative ethos.