The wake-up call

In perfect timing for RSK’s latest health and well-being focus on sleep and the associated health benefits, RSK Human Resources Director Zoe Brunswick headed to the House of Commons in London, UK, on 4 March for the launch of ‘The Wake-up Call’ sleep manifesto.

Organised by The Sleep Council and The Sleep Charity, the manifesto raises the profile of sleep as a major factor for health and well-being of children and adults, from education to the workplace, to ensure that sleep becomes a key issue on the public health agenda.

Research demonstrates that if we do not get adequate sleep, our physical and mental health can be adversely affected. Despite the overwhelming amount of evidence to underline the importance of sleep, there is very little support available to improve sleep patterns. The manifesto sets out to provide the nation with a wake-up call and urge the government to recognise and act upon the importance of sleep as part of a healthy balanced lifestyle.

The event included a range of high-profile speakers, including TV presenter Zoe Salmon; Mark Rowland, CEO of The Mental Health Foundation; Professor Heather Elphick from Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Dr Mike Farquhar from Evelina Hospital, and Dr Neil Bindemann from the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. The event was part of an ongoing campaign that includes the manifesto and a Charter for Sleep Equality.

“This month, RSK’s well-being focus is sleep and the effect that not getting enough shut-eye can have on your health and well-being, so it was great to hear more about the sleep manifesto and see that steps are being taken to put sleep on the public health agenda,” says Zoe. “RSK is supporting the manifesto by actively raising the profile of sleep as a major factor for health and well-being by encouraging its employees to take part in The Sleep Council’s 30-Day Sleep Challenge and hosting a range of activities for World Sleep Day on 13 March.”

For more information on the ‘Wake-up Call’ manifesto, visit the website.