How we helped: When The Centre of Workplace Health became an accredited RSPH Centre for the new Understanding Health Improvement qualification, it seemed to Carphone Warehouse as an ideal way to ‘validate’ its health related projects, as well as giving key staff a nationally recognised qualification from a reputable public health awarding body – all good for staff’s personal and professional development, self esteem and motivation, and of course, health improvement.

How we helped: we were approached to deliver the Level 2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement to 400 pharmacies based within the Thames Valley as part of the Healthy Living Pharmacies programme.

The training was designed to provide pharmacy assistants with knowledge of the principles of promoting health and wellbeing and how to direct individuals to further sources of advice and guidance to support their efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle.

How we helped: With the move of many public health responsibilities to Local Authorities, North West Employers collaborated with us to develop this two day training programme called 'Councillor Health Champions' to give councillors an appreciation of the basic principles of health and wellbeing and an understanding of the influence their work can have on the health of their local population.

The programme also helps elected members to prepare for roles as portfolio holders with specific responsibility for health, members of Health and Wellbeing Boards or members of Health Scrutiny Committees.

How we helped: Aiming to give ‘health’ and ‘safety’ a more equal focus and emphasis as part of a health improvement drive, Royal Mail decided to cascade our Understanding Health Improvement qualification to established networks within the company, including over 50 Health and Safety professionals and around 5,000 First Aiders.

A number of First Aiders Trainers and Health and Safety personnel volunteered were to be trained initially by us, which then gave Royal Mail a core group of people who could train colleagues and peers.

How we helped: As a member of Well Communities, we were asked to design, develop and deliver a bespoke accredited education programme for the local delivery teams.

The programme 'Training Communities' was created with the aim to improve the skills and knowledge of the Well Communities volunteers on the principles of health and wellbeing, and improving their confidence as influencers to help others in their community. The programme builds the confidence of the volunteers in community outreach work, while also exploring the benefits and challenges of influencing others and working as a team.