In our experience, many health and wellbeing initiatives fail to deliver significant results because of a lack of health data about their employees and therefore a health ‘picture’ of the organisation as a whole. Many employers don’t use any data to drive corporate health and wellbeing strategies or target costs, despite them claiming to want to understand the health risks affecting their employees.
Our experience is that a wellbeing initiative is more effective when they are targeted and form part of an overall absence management plan. It’s about utilising a range of resources, tackling cultural issues and responding to known challenges in the business. Here are our wellbeing initiative services:
Wellbeing Assessments
The process itself consists of:
- Individual wellbeing assessments for employees including a one-to-one consultation about the results and advice on achieving lasting health improvements, along with a copy of their results at the time of testing. Wellbeing assessments vary in length from 10 to 50 minutes depending on the level of assessment. Assessments are carried out at your place of work ensuring minimal disruption to the day to day running of the business.
- Individual, detailed, confidential reports including personalised health information and action plans for each employee. Where individuals have been seen previously comparisons of results will be made to see where improvements of results have improvements of results have occurred.
- An in depth company health profile showing trends and comparisons, enabling recommendations and enabling tailored guidance and recommendations to be given as part of your wellbeing initiative.
- From the health assessments Annurca will set individual and company goals to build and maintain ongoing motivation and focus of the wellbeing initiative.
- All individuals receive immediate feedback and a copy of their results on the day of testing. Within 5 working days each employee receives a comprehensive and confidential results and information pack.
In addition to the full wellbeing assessments identified above, more specific assessments can be undertaken as part of your wellbeing initiative focusing on individual elements. Read on for more info or contact us here
Full Wellbeing Assessments
Lifestyle Analysis
The starting point of your wellbeing initiatives is a Questionnaire (Name, Age, Gender, Job Title (Desk Based / on feet etc.), smoker, alcohol units, Exercise levels inc. intensity, duration, frequency & modality, Family history (Diabetes & Heart problems), Personal health conditions.
Anthropometric Measurements
Four non-invasive basic measurements used to help to determine an individual’s body fat distribution by measuring, recording and analysing specific dimensions of the body (Height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference).
Waist to Hip Ratio
Waist to hip ratio is a measurement that compares the size of your waist to that of your hips. It is used to identify risk for developing heart disease and type II diabetes. It is a calculation that identifies where body fat is stored (Waist to hip ratio should be less than 0.90 for a male and less than 0.85 for a female).
Blood Pressure
The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the arteries. It is primarily produced by the contraction of the heart muscle. Its measurement is recorded by two numbers. The top number is your systolic pressure and is the pressure when the beat or contraction of your heart forces blood around your body and will be the highest pressure. The bottom number is your diastolic pressure and is the pressure between heartbeats when the heart is resting and will be the lowest pressure.
(Blood pressure should sit around 120/80mmHg)
Resting Heart Rate
Resting heart rate is the number of times a heart beats per minute when at complete rest. A low resting heart rate is an indicator of good cardiovascular fitness (average in the UK is 72 bpm)
Body Composition
Body composition is measured using a technique called Bio-electrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). This works by sending an electrical current between two sets of electrodes, 2 on the hand and 2 on the foot. The speed at which the current travels between the electrodes is dependent upon the quantity and type of tissue it has to travel through. As fat, bone and muscle all conduct electricity at different speeds, the machine can work out from the resistance it incurs, how much fat is present. The larger the amounts of fat carried by someone, the more strain their heart is being put under. Obesity is now the main cause of illness in the UK, but it can be treated without medication or operation. All that is required is a little know-how.
(Body fat %, lean tissue % (muscle, organs), and hydration levels, along with ideals for each area).
Metabolic Rate Analysis
BMR (Basal (Basic) Metabolic Rate) – a measurement of the number of calories your body needs just to maintain basic functions such as respiration, circulation, and cell regeneration. The higher you’re BMR the more calories your body will burn. Keeping that in mind, if you’re interested in losing weight you should be aware that your BMR can be raised by such factors as body composition (the ratio of lean muscle mass to fat tissue) and exercise.
Flexibility Measurement
The sit and reach test is a common measure of flexibility, and specifically measures the flexibility of the lower back and hamstring muscles. This test is important as tightness in this area is implicated in lumbar lordosis, forward pelvic tilt and lower back pain. A very important test in a working environment where individuals are in desk based or driving roles as this can have a big impact on tight muscles leading to back issues (It would be expected that males and females would 15 cm and 20 cm respectively).
Strength Test
The purpose of this test is to measure grip or forearm muscle strength. Handgrip strength is important for anything which involves catching, throwing or lifting. The test engages most of the upper body muscles giving a fantastic overview of upper body strength. Poor results could lead to development of osteoporosis or an issue with muscle functionality (It would be expected that males and females would 15 cm and 20 cm respectively).
Lung Function and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Forced Expired Volume (FEV) or Lung Power is the rate of flow of air that can be expelled from your lungs in 1 second.
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) or Lung Capacity is the measure of your lungs ability to inhale air.
COPD refers to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed, leading to a shortness of breath. It is caused by noxious particles or gas, most commonly from tobacco smoking, which triggers an abnormal response in the lung. As well as being common in smokers it can be an issue for individuals who work in dusty environments.
Blood Cholesterol Measurement
Cholesterol is a waxy substance which is mainly made in the body. The liver makes it mostly from the saturated fats in foods.
Cholesterol plays a vital role in how every cell works, throughout the body. It is also the material which the body uses to make other vital chemicals. However, too much cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of getting heart and circulatory disease.
Heart and circulatory disease includes coronary heart disease, strokes, and diseases that affect the circulation such as peripheral arterial disease. The cause of this is LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood.
The total cholesterol measurement will be measured alongside the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol which allows for a ratio to be calculated. This ratio at the end is the most important number and is what is used in order to determine risk of Cardiovascular Disease.
Blood Sugar Levels / Diabetes Test
Glucose is the main sugar that the body makes from the food in the diet. Glucose is carried through the bloodstream to provide energy to all cells in the body. Cells cannot use glucose without the help of insulin. Glucose is a simple sugar (a monosaccharide). The body produces it from protein, fat and, in largest part, carbohydrate. Ingested glucose is absorbed directly into the blood from the intestine and results in a rapid increase in blood glucose.
If blood sugar levels are not within recommended levels (4 – 8mmol/l) then the individual is likely to be diabetic.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type I diabetes, where the body is unable to produce insulin, and Type II diabetes, which develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin produced does not work properly, usually linked to being overweight.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk score over the next 10 years
This is the chances of suffering from a cardiovascular disease (heart related problem) over the next 10 years, calculated using a number of factors including, age, smoking habits, blood pressure and cholesterol results.
Consultation, Action Plan & Report
A confidential and thorough one on one consultation with your health consultant addressing the real life issues that concern you, instant results feedback and action plan. This is key to an effective health assessment in order to create change.
A more in depth and comprehensive report will be delivered to the individual within 5 working days, within this report extra information will be included based on the individuals’ level of health, for example, high blood pressure – a blood pressure pack, high cholesterol – a cholesterol pack etc.
Specific Assessments
In addition to the full wellbeing assessments identified above, more specific assessments can be undertaken focussing on individual elements including:
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment
- Lifestyle Analysis
- Height and Weight
- Waist and hip measurements (Waist-hip Ratio)
- Blood Pressure Measurement
- Resting Heart Rate
- Total Cholesterol test
- HDL (Good Cholesterol)
- Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (Blood sugar test)
- CVD Risk score over the next 10 years
- Consultation, action plan and report
Heart & Lung MOT
- Lifestyle Analysis
- Height and Weight
- Waist and hip measurements (Waist-hip Ratio)
- Blood Pressure Measurement
- Resting Heart Rate
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL (Good Cholesterol)
- LDL (Bad Cholesterol)
- Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (Blood sugar test)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Evaluation
- CVD Risk score over the next 10 years
- Consultation, action plan and report
Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Testing
- Lifestyle Analysis
- Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance (Blood sugar test)
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL (Good Cholesterol)
- LDL (Bad Cholesterol)
- Consultation, action plan and report
Full Lipid Tests
- Lifestyle Analysis
- Total Cholesterol
- HDL (Good Cholesterol)
- LDL (Bad Cholesterol)
- Triglyceride levels
- Consultation, action plan and report
Wellbeing Days
When beginning your organisational wellbeing journey it is often hard to know where to start. Wellbeing Days can be a great starting point in order to maximise engagement and encourage a positive culture around wellbeing.
Wellbeing Days are bespoke in nature ensuring they are specific to an organisations needs. More often than not they are designed to provide employees with a ‘taster’ of services which you may be looking to implement in more detail moving forward. This can help establish what services are going to be highly sought after as part of a more detailed wellbeing programme.
Importantly Wellbeing Days are fun, interactive, informative and engaging.
As Wellbeing Days are bespoke there is not one solution which suits all businesses so we allow organisations to work on a pick and mix basis. Typical services which may be included are as follows:
- Posters
- Supporting information for the intranet
- Information Stands
- Health leaflets
- Onsite therapists
- Health screening sessions
- Workshops covering a wide range of subjects including topics such as resilience, nutrition, exercise, relaxation, sleep, posture etc.
- Exercise Classes
- Challenges with leader boards and prizes to be won
- Finance Guidance
- Food displays
- Free gifts – for example, stress spots, stress balls, waters bottles etc.
Employee Health Surveys
Employee Health Surveys play an important part in forming a successful 
wellbeing initiative.
It is important that for a successful wellbeing initiative to be created, it is put together using a combination of what people would like to do and what will affect change.
Annurca Health Surveys can be tailored specifically for your organisation ensuring we are getting collecting the key information.
Health surveys can be issued in either electronic format or in paper form. We review the feedback from the survey, discuss and report on the findings, and use those findings to shape the proposed initiative, which would be specifically designed to support people in developing and sustaining high levels of resilience.
An employee health survey would usually gauge three main areas of feedback:
- Identify which areas of existing employee health benefit provision have been most valued by staff, and which provide the greatest incentives to encourage staff retention.
- Identify what new or additional wellbeing initiatives and activities staff would like to see in future wellbeing initiatives. It is important that for a successful wellbeing initiative to be created, it is put together using a combination of what people would like to do and what will affect change.
- Understand the resilience of the organisation, by seeking staff feedback on their levels of engagement; how effectively they deal with change; the strength of working relationships; how staff deal with challenges and set-backs etc.
Interactive Wellbeing Workshops and Seminars
As part of an organisations overall health and wellbeing initiative, we are able to arrange workshops and seminars to take place within the workplace and at times to fit within the requirements of the client, to ensure no disruption to day to day activities. Typical topics include:
- Smoking Cessation
- Nutrition – mood and food
- Exercise
- Stress reduction
- Optimal performance
- Healthy Man / Woman
- Workstation health
- Coronary heart disease
- Goal setting
- Healthy eating
- Lifestyle change
- Posture – back problems
- Relaxation techniques
- Positive thinking
Onsite and Online Exercise Sessions
Stay active through exercise sessions provided onsite or online. These can be funded by the employer, through shared employee and employer contributions or fully funded by the employee.
Sessions can include:
- Pilates
- Boxacise
- HIIT
- Strength & Conditioning
- Aerobic Conditioning
- Yoga
- Boot camp
- Zumba
Contact Annurca on enquiries@annurca.com for more information on how packages can work for you.
Nutrition Plans
BESPOKE GOAL BASED NUTRITION PLANNING
Nutrition plans made for you with the exact requirements needed to achieve your goal.
We can tailor make you a plan to any requirements whether that be:
- For weight loss
- to get healthier (reduce cholesterol, improve blood pressure, reduce diabetes risk etc)
- For sporting performance
- to save money
- to improve sleep
Contact Annurca for more information on how our nutrition packages can help you achieve your goals.
Wellbeing Support Guides
Wellbeing Support Guides
At Annurca we believe in providing people with continued wellbeing support and no subject is off topic. Some of the wellbeing subjects covered include:
- Looking After your Wellbeing when Working from Home
- How to Stay Active at Home
- Top Tips for Improving Mental Health
- Top Tips for Managing your Money
- Top Tips for Better Sleep
- Do’s & Don’ts of Setting up your Desk at Home
- Burnout
- Menopause
- Dealing with Conflict
- How to Give Effective Feedback
- Cholesterol and How to Improve it
- Mindfulness
- Managing Stress
- Blood Pressure and How to Improve it
Contact Annurca for more information on how our support guides can help you look after your wellbeing.
Therapies
In addition to workshops and seminars, we are able to offer a range of therapies that can be delivered on site for our client as part of your wellbeing initiative, including:
Traditional Therapies
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Acupuncture
- Osteopathy
- Chiropractic treatment
Alternative Therapies
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Various massages
- Back re-education programmes, fitness and back to work programmes and remedial sports massage SHH risk assessment
Activity / Team Event Days
Sporting and team events are great for team bonding and morale building. As part of a comprehensive wellbeing initiatives we deliver innovative events and activity programmes that enhance team performance and create staff buy-in, through higher levels of motivation, improved fitness levels and a healthier workforce that is engaged with the wellbeing agenda. Examples of activities include:
- Onsite Exercise Classes – Yoga, spinning, HIIT etc
- Running / Walking clubs
- Challenge Events – Running, cycling, adventure challenge
- Team Competitions – Rounders, volleyball, netball
- Fun events – Themed Team Building, Business Superstars, Team games (problem solving)