Bupa is boosting its well-being offering for its entire 23,000-strong UK workforce by partnering with Gympass, the world’s largest corporate wellness platform.
The new partnership will give Bupa staff and their families access to virtual wellness coaching, ranging from mental wellness apps, live classes and one-to-one online personal training sessions. To add to this, employees will have access to over 2,000 fitness facilities, from boutique studios to big-brand gyms – meaning the whole family can get fit, whether they’re at home or in the gym.
The timing of the partnership follows the new ‘Better Health’ campaign from the Government which aims to get the nation fit and healthy.
“We know that staying active is just as important for our mental health as it is for our physical health, and now more than ever following the pressures of the pandemic,” says Rachel Murray, Head of Employee Health and Well-being at Bupa Global & UK. “Gympass will allow our employees to introduce a flexible fitness regime into their lifestyle at a time that suits them. It is convenient and affordable for our colleagues, and if they aren’t comfortable accessing a gym, they’ll be able to do an online class or one-to-one PT from their homes.”
The flexibility of Gympass was a key factor in Bupa’s decision to form the partnership. With staff working shifts, they need to enable all employees to access workouts and well-being programmes wherever they are in the country and at a time that suits them.
With many colleagues still working from home, Gympass allows staff to choose a fitness facility close to home, as well as a range of virtual classes or PT sessions they can do online, and then add other locations when they begin returning to the office.
“Being adaptable is important for us, as our colleagues do a huge range of roles from those working in our dental practices, health clinics and care homes to our colleagues in our offices,” says Rachel. “Some will work on their feet all day, while others are behind a desk or caring for other people. We are hopeful that this partnership will encourage all our employees to stay well, and maybe even try something new.”
Bupa recently carried out some new research which showed that 11 million Britons have injured their back, neck, hips, knees or wrists while working from home during lock down. The Gympass partnership aims to help support Bupa colleagues to keep moving or to try something new, helped by online professionals to make sure they are exercising in the safest possible way.
“We are very proud to partner with Bupa, as we hold its excellent reputation for wellness and well-being in high regard,” says Luke Bullen, CEO Gympass UK&IE. “Bupa understands the importance of looking after colleagues’ health and happiness and we can certainly help by offering staff nationwide access to thousands of world-class fitness facilities.
“Bupa shares our ethos of encouraging its staff and members to find an activity they love. Quite apart from boosting their own health, they will become even stronger advocates for a healthy lifestyle by being personally invested in physical activity,” says Luke.