Supporting employee wellbeing for Highland businesses is the focus of relaunched leisure membership scheme ???♀?

With businesses becoming increasingly focused on the health and wellbeing of their employees, High Life Highland is here to support those efforts with its refreshed corporate membership offering.

‘Employee Wellbeing Membership from highlife’?aims to make it as easy as possible for businesses and organisations to foster healthier, happier workforces.

The charity is rebranding its previous corporate membership programme to better reflect a desire from employers to support both their employees and their families physical and mental health, which in turn helps foster positive working environments.

Numerous studies have shown that being active daily is not only good for a person’s physical wellbeing it also boosts mood and can greatly help with improved mental health and can offer many social benefits too.

Emma Thomson , Business Development Manager with High Life Highland explained: “Fostering employee wellbeing is good for people and the organisation they are working for. Promoting wellbeing can help prevent stress and create positive working environments where individuals and organisations can thrive.

“While in the past, offering a discounted leisure membership might have been seen as a blatant recruitment or retention tool for employers, we are seeing increasing numbers of businesses opting for highlife membership packages because they are truly committed to promoting good health and wellbeing among staff.

“And it’s not just about going to the gym anymore, people are seeking classes such as pilates, yoga and meditation which are proven to contribute positively to a person’s general wellbeing.”

Official figures show that the average amount of days lost per employee due to ill health is 7.8 days * and prevention is very much seen as a way of lowering this statistic. Businesses and organisations who can offer their staff discounted leisure membership as part of their terms and conditions are likely to experience fewer staff absences.

Aviemore Medical Practice opted to join highlife as corporate members last year. Manager Diane Wright commented: “It is great to see that staff members can have access to these facilities at a reduced cost to them and lovely to see their enthusiasm for improving their health and fitness.”

Sharon Doran-Thorp is one employee of the Medical Practice who took up the offer of a reduced highlife membership via her employer and has never looked back, she said: “Through highlife I’ve managed to get myself into an exercise routine. I’m enjoying the group exercise activities and with some trepidation I have also tried some weight training sessions and have found the instructor very encouraging and supportive. I was very anxious about trying weights but I am feeling more confident and really enjoying it.

“I’ve still got a long way to go, but I have noticed I’m more toned and I’ve lost a bit of weight. I’m also saving money, as prior to joining highlife I was paying for private exercise classes costing ￡29 per week – I pay less than that a month now!”

Williamson Foodservice , who has its headquarters in Inverness, have offered a subsidised highlife membership to its workers for the past two years.

Managing Director at Williamson Foodservice Gary Williamson said: “We took the decision to offer an incentivised membership as the health and wellbeing of our workforce is paramount. Assisting our team and their families in a practical way like this means both the physical and mental health aspects of their lives are enhanced as well as making a modest but important contribution to the cost of living.”

Rosie Mackenzie works for Ri Cruden Ltd Mechanical, Electrical & Renewables – a renewable energy specialist business based in Inverness – she has been taking advantage of her employers decision to offer fully funded highlife membership to staff. She said: “Being part of the Employee Wellbeing Membership at highlife has renewed my motivation to prioritize my health. It has encouraged me to incorporate regular exercise into my routine, leading to improved energy levels and a more positive mindset. The supportive community at High Life Highland facilities has made it easier for me to stay committed to my fitness goals.”

“Employee Wellbeing Membership from highlife is so easy to set up, with the team here at High Life Highland taking care of all the administration. We have created a seamless, easy way for employers to support the health and wellbeing of their staff and families with bespoke packages to suit all budgets regardless of whether a company wants to offer staff fully funded memberships or a subsidised contribution, ensuring happier, healthier workforces throughout the Highlands.” Emma Thomson , High Life Highland.

Furthermore, highlife membership comes with a variety of benefits from discounts on hospitality, health and wellbeing, shopping and more.

To find out more, please contact Emma at [email protected]