Number of employees: 18

Goal (s) of the Initiative:

To model healthy living in the organization by organizing a self-directed challenge for as many staff as possible to complete at least one healthy activity on a BINGO card daily for 21 days.

What need was being addressed by this initiative?

This initiative was meant to energize the staff around a new healthy living program and also to function as a team-building activity.

How was the initiative implemented:

A BINGO card was developed including a variety of healthy eating and physical activity “challenges”. Staff were made aware of the challenge at a staff meeting and then received the BINGO card via email. At the end of the challenge period, staffa met to share their success and feedback and participated in a group flash mob to complete the last (centre) square.

Rules: Staff have 3 weeks to complete all the tasks on the card.

The last day will have a Staff ChooseWell Success Showcase (staff meeting discussing successes) Participants are encouraged to bring a healthy snack to the Success Showcase The challenge will work on the honour system and is self-driven Looking for information/resources/supports? Have questions? Ask the ChooseWell team members.

ACTIVITIES ON BINGO CARD:

1. Set 1 personal physical activity or healthy eating goal for the challenge

2. Give someone a hug

3. Take an active lunch break

4. Spend 5 minutes relaxing and breathing deeply

5. Take the stairs instead of elevators

6. Analyze a favourite recipe with the Recipe Analyzer tool at www.dietitians.ca

7. Obtain a copy of Canada’s food guide and go through it

8. Get 5-10 fruits or veggies in one day into you

9. Do a segment from the AB Centre for Active Living Yoga at your desk

10. Create your own personalized food guide using My Food Guide at www.hc-sc.gc.ca

11. Go green! Take a walk or bicycle ride in a park or the river valley

12. Take 20 minute of YOU time and do something re-energizing

13. Take public transit

14. Visit a new park or recreation centre you have never been to before

15. Try a new sport or physical activity

16. Stretch a minimum of 4 times in one week

17. Read the label on a box of cereal or can of soup – does it meet the AB Nutrition Guidelines?

18. Bring a healthy lunch to work

19. Take an energizing coffee break ....get up and get moving

20. Do something active with your family or friends

21. Sign up to walk or run in a race this summer. See www.runningroom.com for ideas

22. Prepare a meal using healthy portion sizes. See the Healthy U website for help

23. Buy local produce from the Farmer’s Market

24. Prepare a recipe from the Healthy U website

25. CENTRE SQUARE: Participate in the AB Rec & Parks FLASH MOB on April 21st at 3:30pm

How was the initiative evaluated:

Staff verbal feedback was used to determine the value of the initiative.

All staff participated and completed the 21 Days to ChooseWell BINGO card to varying degrees. Feedback was positive. Suggestions to make the participation more accessible to those with physical limitations were provided.

What is the approximate cost per participant:

No Cost. Just time to create and distribute the BINGO card.

Number of employees: 145

Goal (s) of the Initiative:

To provide at least 60% of our staff with free health assessments and to increase awareness of health and wellness issues through a health fair held in February 2011.

What need was being addressed by this initiative?

There is a need for staff to be more informed about their health status and to increase awareness of levels of contemplation of health and wellness issues.

How was the initiative implemented:

A health fair was held on February 14th, 2011 from 1-3pm. Staff could attend during work hours. A wide variety of health professionals were available to give information and answer questions, e.g., Naturopath (who did assessments), fitness instructors (who measured weights, BME, and blood pressures), a nutritionist (who handed out samples and information handouts), a chiropractor (who explained alignment) nurses (who did diabetes and cholesterol screenings and did blood typing), and a massage therapist (who gave 15 minute mini-massages as demonstrations).

How was the initiative evaluated:

It was evaluated by getting feedback from the providers (health professionals) and a few mini focus groups of participants. Participation numbers were estimated for each provider’s area. Number of at risk individuals for diabetes and hypercholesterolemia were noted. Wellness committee members also contributed various responses from colleagues via verbal comments and emails received in response to the health fair.

69% of the employees participated and received valuable information (screening, BMI, handouts, assessments and verbal/visual info). 4 employees were determined at risk for diabetes and a significant number (actual unknown) of staff for hypercholesterolemia. Approximately 60% at least of the employee population visited every booth.

What is the approximate cost per participant:

$10 per participant

Number of employees: 34

Goal (s) of the Initiative:

To have fun, build community, express creativity, challenge self, create good memories.

What need was being addressed by this initiative?

To show healthy and fun activities outside of the regular routine and to bring the community closer together both staff and persons served.

How was the initiative implemented:

Plan activities that will allow various levels of ability to participate. Set dates, put up posters to remind people on the different days. Set up balanced teams for the team sports activities and have ribbons as prizes for everyone.

How was the initiative evaluated:

Feedback from participants during verbal and written evaluations. Participants continuing to talk about the fun they had an how sore their face was from laughing and smiling so much.

Participants had fun, laughter more, tried new things, interacted with others, moved out of their comfort zone, encouraged each other, worked as teams and got creative.

What is the approximate cost per participant:

Approximately $.50 per participant for ribbons.