SMEs are invited to bid for share of £4 million Health, Work and Well-being Challenge Fund

David Woods, 22 October 2009

The Government is to invest £4 million over the next two years in improving health and wellbeing for staff at small organisations.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) minister Lord McKenzie is inviting small and medium-sized businesses and local partnerships to bid for a share of the Health, Work and Well-being Challenge Fund from today.

He said: "We are working with employers to provide the necessary support to help workers remain happy and healthy in their job. This fund will improve conditions in the workplace and will help to prevent workers taking time off sick.

"We are looking for innovative and exciting ideas to improve the health and welfare of employees in the workplace. These can include projects to reduce stress, improve a work-life balance or provide healthy activities."

The DWP hopes the funds will be used to reduce stress and improve other mental health conditions, provide healthy activities, ensure a better work-life balance and encourage more supportive management.

There will be two rounds of funding and successful projects can be awarded between £1,000 and £50,000 a year. Local Assessment Panels will decide which projects will receive funding, based on criteria aimed at promoting occupational health and welfare at work.