A £1 million fund for new ideas to boost health and welfare at work for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the self-employed has launched.
Successful bidders will receive up to £100,000 to support their projects. The government says it’s looking for creative ways to improve access to occupational health services for SMEs and the self-employed.
In order to promote the health of SME employees, applicants are asked to explain how they will do so by utilising technologies such as artificial intelligence or data collection.
Applications can be from those who work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and Innovate UK, a division of UK Research and Innovation, are working together on the competition as part of the Joint Work and Health Unit. The application period for the fund will begin on January 30, 2023, and end on March 15, 2023.
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Tom Pursglove says: “Good occupational health within workplaces is vital in supporting our overall health and standard of living. We spend so much of our lives at work, and it is imperative that our employers can give us the support we need to maintain our physical and mental health. This in turn means we can give our best at work.
“Through the launch of our new £1 million fund, I look forward to seeing innovative, workable solutions to help SMEs deliver the best for their employees, creating healthier, welfare-driven working environments that will ultimately drive growth and improve people’s working lives.”
Minister for Care Helen Whately, says: “This new £1 million fund will help us find better ways to support the health of our workforce – especially looking at small businesses and the self-employed. Making sure people stay well enough to work is so important – it means a bigger workforce, boosted productivity, and better quality of living. Successful bidders will look at innovative new ways to support people in their field of work, help them to live healthier, happier lives while driving growth in our economy.”