DS Smith puts health at the heart of the company in Devizes

The Devizes site of DS Smith has been awarded a Bronze Healthy Heart Mark by national charity Heart Research UK for encouraging healthy lifestyle habits among its employees.

By choosing to take on the healthy heart checks that Heart Research UK provides, the packaging supply cycle specialist provides employees with the opportunity to have their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, BMI and waist measurements checked and ask questions about their lifestyle habits.

The Healthy Heart Mark award is an accreditation that shows how an organisation values its workforce by making positive contributions towards employee health and wellbeing.

DS Smith puts health at the heart of the company

The business is supporting healthy lifestyle habits, offering healthy heart checks at UK packaging sites

Find out more about Healthy Hearts

Following the healthy heart checks, the company has brought in initiatives at the site that include setting up groups to help people quit smoking, providing free health advice and introducing healthy meal options in the staff canteen.

Steve Hinton, Managing Director at DS Smith’s Devizes site said: “New additions such as the healthy meal options in the canteen have been welcomed by all and it’s been great seeing employees encourage one another to lead healthier lives. The healthy heart program has kick-started a company-wide culture change, inspiring everyone to stop and think about their health.”

Brian Wark, HR Director at DS Smith’s UK Packaging Division said: “Health and safety is extremely important in the packaging and manufacturing industries, but often most of the focus is on safety and not on health.

“We have a duty of care to our employees and we are committed to supporting initiatives that lead to a healthy and happy workforce. In fact, this campaign originated from one of our sites and when it proved to be very popular we secured support from the senior team to roll out the programme at all of our locations.”

DS Smith offers the Heart Research UK healthy heart checks at its 31 sites – from Livingston to Launceston - with many receiving Bronze and Silver Healthy Heart Marks over the year. This latest award will support DS Smith’s aim to achieve a Healthy Heart Mark (HHM) employer award later this year.

Vicki Litherland, Lifestyle Officer at Heart Research UK said: “DS Smith in Devizes has really embraced the Healthy Heart message amongst employees, implementing a range of activities to suit everyone.  Their inter-department 6-a-side indoor football tournament was a resounding success, building both fitness and team spirit and is something they want to do on an annual basis.

“The company has encouraged and supported staff to live healthier lifestyles by implementing ‘Free Fruit Friday’, running a calorie quiz and promoting hydration amongst staff as well as quit smoking support, all of which will have a positive impact on their heart health and wellbeing.”

Heart Research UK funds pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

To find out more about Heart Research UK and healthy heart initiatives in the workplace visit: http://heartresearch.org.uk/