Mayor’s wellbeing scheme reaches more than 300,000 workers across region

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker is driving a major push to transform the way businesses help their staff be happy, healthy and productive.

More than 300,000 employees have already had the opportunity to get support from Thrive at Work which aims to improve workplace wellbeing at the region’s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Led by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which is chaired by the Mayor, the initiative provides businesses with the resources and guidance needed to create healthier workplaces.

More than 600 organisations across the region have already signed up, benefiting from a free online toolkit, practical support, and topical webinars leading to four levels of achievement - the Thrive at Work Award - Foundation, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Achieving accreditation sets an organisation apart as an employer of choice when it comes to health and wellbeing. Businesses in the scheme also see financial benefits, including reduced sickness absence, lower staff turnover, and improved productivity and job satisfaction.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “More than 300,000 employees across the West Midlands are already benefiting from Thrive at Work - helping businesses support staff wellbeing and build stronger, more productive teams. I want to see that number grow because good jobs should mean good health too.

"DENSO Automotive’s Gold Accreditation proves that when businesses invest in their people, they don’t just create better workplaces - they boost productivity, morale, and resilience. I’m calling on more employers to get on board and make the West Midlands a leader in workplace wellbeing."

The WMCA and Coventry City Council’s Thrive at Work team have been working closely with Michelle Evans, HR Manager who is the wellbeing lead at DENSO Automotive UK Ltd to help the firm secure the Gold Level Thrive at Work accreditation (Employee Wellbeing Award).

During a visit to DENSO’s Coventry-based UK Commercial & Engineering site, the Mayor heard how the organisation had successfully used the programme to support the health and wellbeing of staff.

Alan Richards, managing director of DENSO Automotive UK Ltd, is actively investing in the wellbeing of the DENSO workforce and said: “Our employees are our greatest asset, and their wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do.

“Thrive at Work has helped us embed lasting, meaningful change across our organisation, making employee wellbeing central to our culture. Achieving this accreditation is a testament to our ongoing commitment to creating a healthier workforce.”

Organisations can sign up for the programme and use the online portal to track their progress. Each business is assigned a dedicated Thrive at Work assessor, who works closely with their health and wellbeing lead to help them achieve their goals.

The portal also allows businesses to provide feedback and measure the impact of their commitment on employees.

Thrive at Work is one of a number of support programmes available through Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM) to help businesses improve productivity, grow, and hire more staff.

Over the past year 10,000 companies have benefitted from thousands of hours of business support and more than £12 million in grants.

For more information on Thrive at Work click here