Photo (l-r) Chair of the Council Tony Hall, Ken Woolcott (Harlow College Student Voice Officer), Anne Wafula Strike MBE and Jack Taylor (Harlow College Sports Enrichment Officer)

Super-fit staff and students at Harlow College are clearly feeling the benefits of a new wellbeing initiative, with the college scooping the Active Workplace of the Year Award at the recent Harlow Sports Awards 2015, organised jointly by Harlow Council and Active Harlow.

The award is given to an organisation, business or workplace that has made a significant contribution to developing and promoting sport and physical activity.

Among the College's notable achievements are a strong wellbeing strategy and a 15% growth of employees engaged regularly in physical activity.

Karen Spencer, Principal of Harlow College, said of the award: "As a College we really see the benefits of a healthy body and mind for both our student's and our staff's work. If you feel well, you are more engaged, perform better and are more successful. We've also seen the added benefits of teamwork and fun."

Ken Woolcott, Student Voice Officer, said: "The College have put a great deal of effort into encouraging staff to get active and healthy. We now have a wide range of well attended activities."

Guest of honour at the event was Paralympian athlete Anne Wafula Strike MBE, who in 2007 was officially recognised by the Queen at a Buckingham Palace reception for her work as a disabled athlete and for involvement in charity work for people with disabilities.