Improved wellbeing and establishing healthy habits: key results for 2024 Bruks Siwertell health challenge

• Sustainability initiative
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Bruks Siwertell Group aims to set the sustainability standard for the industries that it serves, and integral to that is its personnel. Building on the success of last year’s voluntary health challenge, this year’s wellbeing support saw 19 teams pull together to encourage each other during a friendly, six-week health boost. Engagement was evaluated through the Challengize app, with the winning team nominating the charity to receive the donations raised.

Sustainability goal: social

Bruks Siwertell Group’s sustainability agenda is linked to the United Nation’s collection of 17 interlinked Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of these, SDG 3, focuses on good health and wellbeing. Bruks Siwertell is committed to addressing this throughout its sustainability work and also improving personnel satisfaction scores. These are recorded as an employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS), which is scaled from -100 to 100; Bruks Siwertell Group’s current score is 21 and it hopes to raise this to 30 by 2030. 

This year’s voluntary health challenge was held over a six-week period between March and the end of April, using the Challengize app to inspire and record each individual’s efforts. “The main drive behind this initiative is to offer an entirely voluntary, friendly opportunity for personnel to work towards increasing their health and wellbeing,” says Anna Halling, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), Bruks Siwertell Group. “It has the added benefit of bringing people together as a team, which is motivational and encourages these healthy habits to continue beyond the challenge.”

All activities counted and were logged in the Challengize app or its web-based platform, with participants gaining points for every activity registered. With over 300 activities to choose from, points could be gained for the duration of a task and what it entailed, from the gym and housework to meditation. It was also possible for other activity apps, such as Runkeeper or Strava, to be connected to Challengize. A social feed within the app also encouraged activity, photo shares and participation. 

New to the Challengize app this year were bonus activities, including the ability to log events such as ‘laughed out loud’, ‘gave encouraging words to a colleague’, ‘celebrated a milestone or project completion’. Although only worth 15 points, their addition is a reminder of what is important during a day and what contributes to a person’s wellbeing.

“We are able to use a digital platform to encourage social change, and improvements to an individual’s wellbeing and health through activity,” Halling continues. “It is also about inspiring and motivating each other to increase physical activity and movement during the day, and at the same time aiming to add an element of fun. This can so easily be overlooked in work spaces, but is essential for teambuilding and a person’s sense of satisfaction at work.”

Solution and results

The 2024 health challenge saw 140 participants form 19 different teams. March and April became months of transformation and accomplishment, as collectively the teams raised their wellbeing levels by 6.3%. The daily commitment to physical activity boosted energy levels, improved sleep quality, and left participants feeling more vibrant and productive at work.
 
Collective efforts did not just benefit individuals, they also had a positive impact on the environment. Opting for bicycles over cars, contributed to a 715kg reduction in CO2 emissions, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations. 
 
One of the most heartwarming achievements of all was reaching the charity donation target of EUR 2,200 (SEK 25,000), making a tangible difference to the lives of others, demonstrating the power of community. From the outset, Fit Force Five showcased their determination, achieving the top spot of overall winner, an ambition that was established early on. Unicef was chosen by the winning team as the nominated charity.

Feedback from a winning-team member notes that : “Regular exercise has contributed to better eating habits, and a better sense of community at work was an unexpected but welcome outcome. It felt like we were all in this together.”
 
“Daylight pretty much every day made our outdoor activities even more enjoyable, and six weeks of daily activity has given me much better fitness. I feel much more energetic at work now,” adds another team member. 
 
The challenge not only improved personal wellbeing but also fostered a stronger sense of friendship within the workplace. “It was fun with a team-building arrangement where you encourage each other in the teams,” shares a participant. “It was not just about the competition; it was about supporting and lifting each other up.”

“Together, we registered movements of 23,959km, which is equivalent of 0.6 laps around earth, 2,709 summits of Mount Everest, or Chomolungma, and Sagarmatha, and 567 marathons,” explains Halling. “We have been active for a total of 7,352 hours, equivalent to almost a year non-stop movement, or 3,529 episodes of Star Wars, just in case anyone was wondering. 

“This is our second year of running the voluntary health challenge, and without exception, I am incredibly proud of these achievements; small contributions adding to something far bigger,” concludes Halling.

Monitoring and assessing sustainability milestones and achievements

Bruks Siwertell Group’s sustainability goals are assessed from an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspective, with each initiative falling into one or more of these categories. This is to clarify how different initiatives impact our overall sustainability work, and how their results can be used to maximum effect. It also contributes to our commitment to transparency. All aspects of our sustainability work are designed to be educational, so that we increase our knowledge and adjust our ambitions accordingly.