A new project between the University of Birmingham and leading health and wellbeing organisation, Health Exchange, is kickstarting research into wellbeing in the workplace.

Academics from Birmingham Business School and the School of Health and Population Sciences have been awarded funding for a new project with Health Exchange, a leading health and wellbeing organisation in Birmingham. Funding from the Accelerating Business-Knowledge Base Innovation Activity (ABIA) will support a group of PhD students to undertake a review of the effects of integrating workplace wellbeing activities into organisations.

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Health Exchange focus on two key aspects of health- promoting healthier lifestyles and managing long-term conditions more effectively. To date, they have provided and developed services on behalf of the NHS, GPs, local authorities, private companies and other bodies throughout Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Coventry and Telford.

Professor Fiona Carmichael, who is supervising the work for the Business School, said:

We hope that this is the start of a long and mutually productive relationship. The research team is currently conducting a review of previous research on workplace interventions to support physical and mental health in the workplace. This review is expected to form the basis for new research with Health Exchange on health and wellbeing at work.

We hope that this is the start of a long and mutually productive relationship. The research team is currently conducting a review of previous research on workplace interventions to support physical and mental health in the workplace. This review is expected to form the basis for new research with Health Exchange on health and wellbeing at work.

Commenting on the partnership, Elayne Pugh, Business Development and WorkStyle Lead at Health Exchange, said:

The University of Birmingham and Health Exchange are working in partnership to ensure cutting edge research and leading practice are combining, to ensure health and wellbeing interventions are as effective as possible. This will start what we hope to be a programme of future activities that draw on the strengths of the University (Times and Sunday Times University of the year 2013 – 14) and of Health Exchange, to enhance solutions for clients.

The University of Birmingham is proud to engage with a key business in the city to access crucial data, and the start of a longer term partnership between the University and Health Exchange.

If you'd like to know more please contact the Business Engagement Partner for CoSS, Andy Newnham, on a.newnham@bham.ac.uk.

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