Truro and Penwith College has been recognised for the support it offers to its staff, scooping a national award.

The college received the Workplace Health Award for the third consecutive year, thanks largely to its devotion to staff’s wellbeing and health programmes. The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Workplace Health Award is a county standard of good practice and a quality mark of health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Ten key elements were considered by the governing body in the awarding process, including mental wellbeing, health and safety, recruitment, retention and return to work and physical activity. This year Truro and Penwith College excelled throughout all ten areas of the award criteria, achieving 123 points out of a possible 132.

Improved morale and increased awareness of activities and available support was key. The assessor’s feedback was very positive, and a workplace health representative said after their visit to the college: “Another fantastic year and great to hear about more positive feedback and developments following the results of the staff survey such as improved morale and increased awareness of activities and support available.”

They were particularly impressed with the support offered to staff and low absence rates. Workplace health said the college was delighted to once again be recognised.

Rebecca Smith, who coordinates the award programme at the college, said: “The feedback from the staff survey this year shows that we are making positive changes in supporting staff at work and continuing to look forward in how we can keep improving. Whether that’s through supporting staff returning to work, providing staff development opportunities or sustaining access to free activities provided by the HWS team and part time courses.

“The Workplace Health Award programme is a great way to bring together all the support we offer to staff and helps to keep the momentum going through new ideas, initiatives, and campaigns.”

The collegee's plans for 2017 include the Hydration Challenge and free health screening, a focus on men’s health and the Get Britain Standing campaign.