Leeds City Council is inviting businesses in the city to take advantage of free health resources offered through its Public Health Resource Centre (PHRC). These resources include mental and physical health advice, cancer prevention and support, guidance on healthy eating, financial health and debt management, help with substance misuse, and smoking cessation programs, all aimed at enhancing employee wellbeing.
What free health resources does Leeds City Council offer to businesses for employee wellbeing?
Leeds City Council provides businesses with free wellbeing services through its Public Health Resource Centre (PHRC), which includes:
- Mental and physical health advice
- Cancer prevention and support
- Guidance on healthy eating
- Financial health and debt management
- Help with substance misuse
- Smoking cessation programs
These resources, aimed at enhancing workforce health, are accessible to all Leeds professionals with a public health role.
The Initiative for Healthier Workplaces
Leeds City Council has launched a forward-thinking initiative aimed directly at local businesses. The Public Health Resource Centre (PHRC), situated at Technorth in Chapel Allerton, extends an open invitation to the city’s businesses to utilize its range of wellbeing services at no cost. The PHRC is not just a repository of information; it offers a tangible suite of services including essential advice, physical resources, and vital training on a variety of health topics.
These topics cover a wide spectrum, focusing on:
- Mental health
- Physical activity
- Cancer prevention and support
- Healthy eating
- Financial health and debt management
- Substance misuse including gambling, drugs, and alcohol
- Smoking cessation
The importance of employee wellbeing cannot be overstated, linked as it is to heightened job satisfaction, greater productivity, and increased staff retention. A business that places a premium on its employees’ health inevitably reaps rewards in organizational efficiency and morale.
Membership Benefits and Accessibility
Signing up to the PHRC is a simple process that can be completed online. Membership is free and available to anyone in Leeds with a role in public health or an interest in promoting health and wellbeing. This includes a diverse group from managers and human resources officers to mental health first aiders and wellbeing champions. The aim is to arm businesses with tools and strategies for implementing effective health and wellbeing programs.
Once part of the PHRC, members gain:
- Access to a comprehensive online catalogue of resources.
- The ability to visit the PHRC hub at Technorth on designated days.
- Subscription to a monthly newsletter with fresh resources, training opportunities, and updates on public health campaigns.
This service operates under the meticulous oversight of Leeds City Council, making it one of the rare local authorities to offer such a facility.
Leeds City Council’s Commitment and Call to Action
The member count at PHRC has surged since the onset of the pandemic, reaching a landmark 2,000 members. Post-pandemic, this figure is again climbing, with professionals across all sectors—ranging from healthcare to education and community work—recognizing the centre’s value.
As a Mindful Employer, Leeds City Council not only advocates these practices internally, with over 850 trained mental health first aiders but also promotes this ethos among its partners and across the city. The council’s executive member for adult social care, public health, and active lifestyles, Councillor Salma Arif, elaborates on the council’s position and enthusiasm regarding the PHRC:
“We are very proud of our work as a Mindful Employer and our commitment to encouraging good health and wellbeing across Leeds remains a key priority. The Public Health Resource Centre is a fantastic asset offering a range of important information and guidance as approved by leading health professionals in the city. We would encourage all relevant professionals and businesses to sign up and make the most of this wonderful free resource.”
The ultimate goal for Leeds City Council is to increase the PHRC’s reach, ensuring that every business in Leeds can benefit from these resources. It is a call to action for the betterment of the workforce and, by extension, the entire community.
For those interested in learning more about the PHRC or in joining this health and wellbeing endeavour, further details can be found at the PHRC website.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Leeds City Council communications and marketing
Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk
Tel: 0113 378 6007
ENDS
- Leeds City Council offers free health resources through its Public Health Resource Centre (PHRC) to enhance employee wellbeing.
- The PHRC provides mental and physical health advice, cancer prevention and support, guidance on healthy eating, financial health and debt management, help with substance misuse, and smoking cessation programs.
- The initiative aims to promote healthier workplaces by providing businesses with essential advice, physical resources, and vital training on various health topics.
- Membership to the PHRC is free and accessible to anyone in Leeds with a role in public health or an interest in promoting health and wellbeing.
- Leeds City Council is committed to increasing the PHRC’s reach to benefit every business in the city and encourages professionals and businesses to sign up for this free resource.