In 2017, Lincolnshire Police approached the School of Sport and Exercise Science, with a view to identifying how expertise in the School might assist in improving the wellbeing of the force’s employees. The Health Advancement Research Team (HART) suggested that a multifaceted and collaborative approach could be adopted, targeting both physical and psychological wellbeing. Working in collaboration with the Police’s wellbeing team, we designed and implemented an innovative scheme to improve the physical fitness of employees, known as the Fitness Mentors. The Fitness Mentors are volunteers from the Lincolnshire Police workforce, who completed a level three certificate in personal training. Once qualified, the Fitness Mentors meet with colleagues to provide tailored support and advice on how to get fit, and develop an individually-tailored 10-week programme of exercise for each client. Alongside this, research was conducted to examine psychological wellbeing, work-related stressors, and social support, which led to the development of several practical recommendations to support the force’s employees in managing and improving their psychological wellbeing. This work has now attracted the attention of Oscar Kilo, the Police’s National Wellbeing Service, who we hope to collaborate with to develop police workplace wellbeing initiatives.
Dr Hannah Henderson, School of Sport and Exercise Science
Dr Trish Jackman, School of Sport and Exercise Science
Georgia Clay, School of Sport and Exercise Science