Lincolnshire Police force has won the Oscar Kilo (National Police Wellbeing Service) award for ‘Protecting the workforce’. The award was for its ‘Fitness Mentors’ initiative, developed in collaboration with members of HART. The ‘Fitness Mentors’ is part of Lincolnshire Police’s ongoing wellbeing initiatives and promotes a healthy lifestyle, with fitness being a key element. The scheme was designed, developed, and produced by HART member, Dr Hannah Henderson, and Lincolnshire Police’s Inspector Rachel Harrison. The project involved the recruitment of five fitness mentors, volunteers from staff within the organisation, who undertake the role in addition to their current job. As part of the role, these volunteers worked towards a level three certificate in personal training.
The scheme requires fitness mentors to meet with colleagues who refer themselves to the programme. After conducting a range of health measures (such as blood pressure), the mentors provide tailored support and advice on how to get fit, and make recommendations for a 10-week programme of exercise. Mentors dedicate at least four hours a week to the role (two hours of which can be from their duty time).
HART has continued involvement with the project through evaluation, examining how many staff access the scheme, what improvements in health are observed, and how effective the overall process is. Dr Henderson is now working alongside the National Police Wellbeing Service to support the integration of the Fitness Mentor initiative with other police forces across the country.
