BEL Engineering, a British Engines company, proudly collected its Better Health at Work Gold Award certificate and trophy on Friday 8 May, marking a major milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to colleague health and wellbeing.
Adding to the celebration, Claire Hopkins, HR Manager at BEL Engineering, was also recognised as North East Health Advocate of the Year 2025 – Newcastle. The award celebrates Claire’s outstanding contribution to the Better Health at Work Scheme and the wellbeing initiatives she continues to champion across the business.
The Better Health at Work Award supports employers across the North East and Cumbria to improve workplace health, recognising organisations that take meaningful action to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
BEL Engineering began its Better Health at Work journey by listening to colleagues and responding to what they told us. The focus has been on creating practical support, encouraging open conversations, and helping people build healthier habits that make a difference both at work and at home.
Wellbeing priorities have been shaped by colleague feedback through regular Health Needs Assessments, ensuring initiatives reflect the real experiences and needs of employees across the site.
Health Campaigns and Specialist Support
Over the past year, a wide range of wellbeing initiatives have been delivered across the business, including on-site health checks, expert-led workshops and awareness campaigns focused on mental health and stress management, sleep and fatigue, menopause support, men’s health and work-life balance.
To support these priorities, BEL Engineering has collaborated with a range of specialist partners including Talk Works, Healthworks NE, the Newcastle United Foundation and The Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, helping provide colleagues with practical guidance and support both inside and outside of work.
Sessions have included topics such as managing pressure and avoiding burnout, improving sleep and energy, menopause and men’s health awareness, and back care. This also included dedicated sleep and fatigue sessions delivered by Ollie Bell, offering practical insight into improving rest, recovery and overall wellbeing.
As part of the Better Health at Work framework, organisations achieving Gold status also support others on their wellbeing journeys. BEL Engineering is now mentoring other businesses across British Engines as they progress through the Award, including supporting Rotary Power and Michell Bearings on their journeys towards Bronze, and BEL Valves as it progresses towards Silver.
The collaboration reflects the British Engines values, with businesses sharing learning, best practice and experiences to help strengthen workplace wellbeing across the Group.
Collecting the Gold Award marks another important milestone in BEL Engineering’s ongoing commitment to creating a positive and supportive workplace culture, with the business continuing to build on this progress through future wellbeing initiatives and colleague feedback.
