The University of Bristol is to pilot a wellbeing and sustainability programme for its 6,000 employees.
The Be the Change programme, provided by engagement specialists Green Rewards, will undergo a three month pilot period, starting in July 2018, across the University’s 6,000 staff members. The programme will focus on encouraging wellbeing activities, such as volunteering, mindfulness and keeping active, as well as promoting sustainable travel, saving energy and water, and sustainable purchasing.
The new programme will also form part of the University’s strategy to tackle plastic waste, as staff will be able to earn rewards for pledging to avoid single-use plastics, recycling more and for taking steps to minimise their waste.
Employees will be able to use an online platform and a corresponding mobile app to track their progress, for example when they walk to work. Participating in the programme will enable employees to earn green points when they complete activities; staff members with the most green points are then eligible to win vouchers to spend at local and national retailers, or to turn into charity donations.
Martin Wiles, head of sustainability at the University of Bristol, said: “Sustainability is a key part of our University vision and strategy, and we’ve got some ambitious targets to work towards, such as becoming a carbon neutral university by 2030.
“Engaging staff in our sustainability strategy will be crucial to help achieve our goals. We’re really looking forward to seeing how this programme can help us generate mass engagement and feed back to our staff that every small action matters.”