Freedom Leisure's Active Workforce Week

Giving managers the resources to support their colleagues

What is Active Workforce Week?

Running: Monday 12 - Sunday 18 May 2025

Encouraging colleagues to prioritise their well-being is important all year round. However, we are asking you to make a conscious effort to consider ways to build rapport and promote physical activity within your team this week.

This is an opportunity to inspire, engage, and advocate for the importance of staying active and embracing wider self-care.

Each contract has the opportunity to register as a Gold, Silver or Bronze standard:

BRONZE:
At a minimum, all sites should support the campaign by offering FREE passes to all colleagues, giving them the opportunity to try existing activities across locations. Additionally, sites should promote the colleague website (Click here), the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and staff membership options.

SILVER:

Expanding on the Bronze level, line managers should explore and share additional wellbeing resources, many of which are available on this website. Additionally, colleagues within your contract will complete the Active Workforce Week survey to assess the impact of this campaign: here.

GOLD:

Building on the Silver level, sites should explore offering tailored activities for colleagues (ideas below) and strengthening partnerships with local services to enhance wellbeing support. Additionally, line managers should use the following Impact Form (click here) to review any extra activities delivered, capture relevant imagery, and upload them to the AWW teams folder by 6th June for inclusion in a larger case study.

Download the poster here.

You can find an editable version within the AWW teams folder.

Why Invest in Employee Wellbeing?

Investing in employee health and wellbeing provides significant benefits for both employees and employers. A healthy, active workforce is key to building a thriving, productive workplace. By embedding movement and wellbeing practices into daily routines, businesses can create an environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated.

Benefits of an Active Workforce

Increased Energy and Focus
Regular physical activity enhances mental sharpness, boosts energy levels, and improves concentration, helping employees perform at their best.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Exercise is a proven stress reliever, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, which can lead to greater emotional resilience.
Fewer Sick Days
Active employees tend to have stronger immune systems and are less prone to illnesses, reducing absenteeism and ensuring a more consistent workforce.
Improved Workplace Relationships
Shared fitness activities, such as group exercise or team sports, can improve communication and strengthen team bonds.
Higher Morale and Job Satisfaction
A focus on wellbeing makes employees feel valued, increasing engagement and motivation while creating a more positive workplace culture.
Enhanced Productivity and Creativity
A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. Physical activity stimulates brain function, leading to improved problem-solving, innovation, and overall performance.

Remember to...

Lead by example

Show your team how it's done! Commit to time across the week, where you plan to be physically active.

Give Permission

Prioritising wellbeing isn’t a luxury – it’s essential. This week especially, make time to move more and encourage your colleagues to do the same. If needed, block out your diary to make it happen.

Have fun

Moving doesn’t have to be monotonous or feel like a chore—find what you enjoy and make it yours! Whether it’s solo time or social, have fun with it!

Celebrate

Celebrate the small wins and each other! Recognise colleagues who get involved and share their achievements.

Once you’ve determined which of the three standards your contract will follow for the campaign, use the guidance below to get started:

Begin by promoting Freedom Leisure’s wellbeing policies, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) staff membership and Colleagues website, ensuring all colleagues know where to access support. For more details and quick access to these documents, check the AWW Teams folder.

Next, consider signposting colleagues to external resources such as helplines, and local wellbeing initiatives. Encouraging participation in wellbeing activities—such as mindfulness sessions, physical activity challenges, and peer support groups—can help create a positive workplace culture.

Keep wellbeing front and centre by regularly sharing information through team meetings, newsletters, or informal conversations, ensuring staff feel supported throughout their wellbeing journey.

Below are national resources to explore promoting staff wellbeing through awareness, signposting, and activities :

Physical activity in the workplace

Click on the titles below:

Chief Medical Officers guidance on Adults and Older Adults.
Moving Medicines 'It’s safer for people with long-term conditions to be physically active'
Sport England's Active Employee tool kit.
This Girl Can
Promoting Physical Activity at Work | Public Health Agency
Workplace Movement
Get Moving - outdoors
Freedom Leisure Bingo Card - an editable game that you could use across the week

Things you could do, to encourage being active:

(Silver and Gold)

Drop ins

Request that Healthy Communities and Fitness colleagues allocate 10-minute slots during their shifts for other colleagues to book, offering advice and information on how to stay active.

Invite colleagues to access existing sessions

Encourage colleagues to take advantage of their staff membership by trying out activities at your sites. For those without a membership, offer a free pass during Active Workforce Week to give them the opportunity to try it out. You could even provide colleagues with a friends and family pass for that week.

Set Challenges

Throughout the week, organise fun and engaging challenges to introduce a competitive element. Who can accumulate the most steps? Who can beat your time? These challenges not only encourage participation but also add an exciting, motivating factor to stay active and boost camaraderie among colleagues.

Create colleague activities/events

Why not create tailored activities specifically for Freedom Leisure colleagues to enjoy? Consider options like lunchtime yoga sessions or a friendly football match between sites.

Mental Wellbeing

Click on the titles below:

Things you could do, to encourage mindfulness:

(Silver and Gold)

Get to know your team

How about organising a "Meet the Manager" or coffee morning exclusively for colleagues? It’s a great opportunity to connect, get to know each other better, and build stronger rapport across departments.

Encourage Fresh Air

One of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing is taking notice—spending time in nature and getting some fresh air. Why not encourage colleagues to take short breaks or go for a walk during their break to embrace this?

Engage with local services

Collaborate with local services to provide information and signposting for your colleagues. Even better, invite them to visit your site to engage directly with your teams.

Encourage awareness training

To be mindful of both our colleagues and customers, take advantage of the IHASCO awareness courses, as well as other local opportunities like becoming a dementia friend.