Colleagues at Bakkavor’s Tilmanstone site, based near Deal, have embraced a month of activity focused on mental, physical and financial wellbeing – with smoothie bikes, NHS health checks and a site-wide walk forming part of a nationwide initiative.
The Tilmanstone team joined forces with all the Bakkavor sites across the UK in a group-wide programme aimed at empowering colleagues to take care of their health and wellbeing. The campaign is built around three key pillars – physical, emotional and financial wellbeing – and is supported by a growing network of Wellbeing Champions across the business.
At Tilmanstone, the Bakkavor Salads team put their own stamp on the campaign with a series of local events designed to be practical, fun and impactful. Highlights included:
• Smoothie Bikes – A pedal-powered health boost, giving colleagues the chance to make fresh smoothies while getting active.
• Free NHS Health Checks – Blood pressure and cholesterol testing delivered on-site, with one colleague referred for further support thanks to early detection.
• Occupational Health Drop-ins – Regular access to health professionals, helping embed wellbeing into everyday life.
• GroceryAid Awareness – Promoting the 24/7 financial, emotional and practical support available to all food industry workers.
• Samaritans Webinars – Delivered in the third and fourth weeks of the month, supporting the launch of Bakkavor’s new national partnership with the mental health charity.
The local Tilmanstone programme coincided with a wider company effort to promote mental health, with more than 10,000 Bakkavor colleagues across the UK now having completed Mental Health Awareness Training – part of a long-term drive to make wellbeing a normal, open part of workplace culture.
Terry Willans at Bakkavor in Tilmanstone, currently training to become an Occupational Health Technician, said: “Wellbeing Month showed just how important it is to be visible, accessible and proactive. Our regular health checks and mental-health events have already made a difference to individuals – and we want to keep that going.”
Raj Singh, General Manager at Bakkavor in Tilmanstone, added: “We’re not here to fix everything – we’re here to show up, listen, and guide people to help when they need it. Whether it’s a smoothie or a quick chat, it’s all about connection.”
The events were supported by a group of local Bakkavor Wellbeing Champions, who hosted stands, signposted services, and helped to raise awareness in an approachable, everyday way. Final fundraising totals for GroceryAid are still being confirmed, but the impact on team morale is already clear.
