This week health and well-being has been high on the agenda at Mars Drinks. (From Hampshire Chronicle)

This week health and well-being has been high on the agenda for 350 Basingstoke staff at Mars Drinks.

3:47pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in Hampshire Business By Richard Garfield

HEALTH and well-being has been high on the agenda for staff at a Basingstoke business this week.

Mars Drinks, which has offices and two factories in Daneshill, Basingstoke employing around 350 people, is holding its annual Wellness Week.

HR manager Wendy Macdonald said the aim is to raise awareness of the importance of health and well-being inside and outside the workplace.

As part of this week’s activities, Mars staff have been learning about the impact healthy and active lifestyles have on productivity, motivation and morale, as well as performance at, and quality of, work.

In particular, the programme has been focusing on nutrition, exercise and the importance of adequate rest and sleep.

Wendy said: “At Mars, we believe associates’ well-being is vital. Not only does it play an important role in people’s private lives, but it’s a major factor in their working lives too and can impact on business performance.

“We are delighted to have the support of businesses in the local area who are helping to encourage our associates to lead healthier and more active lifestyles.”

Among those supporting the week was a team from The Sports Centre. Trainer Bee Varga and membership adviser Emma Waheed were on hand to explain the facilities on offer at the sports centre, in Festival Place .They also offered advice on how to incorporate regular exercise into daily routines.

Colleagues from The British Heart Foundation have been providing health checks and Quit 4 Life offered support for those who wish to stop smoking.

Also on offer were zumba fitness classes, keep-your-back-fit-and-safe workshops, massage therapies plus free bananas supplied by Fyffes, which is based on Houndmills Industrial Estate.