This International Men’s Day, we decided to do something a bit different at Parc. Rather than just acknowledging the day, we brought in Steve Winnan from Intelligent Fitness Cornwall to run a Health & Wellbeing workshop for the team.
The nature of our work; fabricating, installing, lifting, working in the print room, puts real physical demands on bodies. And let’s be honest, many of us aren’t brilliant at looking after ourselves or knowing when to address niggles before they become bigger problems. We wanted to give the team practical tools they could actually use.
The workshop
Steve ran an hour-long interactive session covering everything from proper body mechanics and lifting techniques to daily stretches specifically for the kind of work we do. He brought resistance bands and wooden poles making it hands-on rather than just a lecture. Steve’s credentials speak for themselves, he recently contributed to a Joe Wicks (The Body Coach) blog on resistance band training, so we knew the team were in good hands..
And of course, we followed it with Barnecutt’s pasties. Because what’s International Men’s Day without proper Cornish pasties?!
Real impact
Lee, one of our team members, put it perfectly:
I really enjoyed the workshop. I’ve been doing some of the lower back stretches, the arch and glute exercises that physios have told me to do before, but Steve’s session was a good nudge to remind me. I’ve noticed I’m more conscious of doing daily movement since his visit.
That’s exactly what we hoped for, not life-changing revelations, but practical reminders that actually stick.
Our project manager Simon, who already maintains a strong fitness routine, found the session valuable for different reasons:
The UK should really be more mindful of physical and mental health and not be afraid to incorporate strategies into work life. In the long run, this benefits individuals and companies alike. It helps people be ready for work, ready for life. When you look at other cultures globally, like the Japanese who are much more attuned to their physical and mental health, the UK is perhaps someway behind on this.
Family first in action
At Parc, Family First isn’t just something we say, it’s how we operate. Looking after our team’s wellbeing isn’t about productivity metrics or reducing sick days. It’s about genuinely caring for the people who make Parc what it is, and making sure they have what they need to feel good in their bodies and minds.
This workshop was a small investment with real returns, not just for the business, but for the individuals who spend their days crafting the work we’re so proud of. We’re already thinking about what comes next.