Oldham leading the race for workplace wellness

Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series has teamed up with social enterprise Upturn and is encouraging other organisations and businesses to get involved to help solve Britain’s soaring sick day crisis – starting with Oldham.

The Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series comprises two flagship events designed to improve mental, physical, and social wellbeing inviting organisations of all sizes to participate. 

Greater Manchester Wellbeing Run & Walk takes place in Heaton Park for the 5.5K run and 2K walk on May 21, 2026.   Followed by Greater Manchester Meditation  on October 22, 2026 - A virtual guided meditation, using science to demonstrate how three minutes of calm can help improve focus and attention.    

Surveys show that the average worker now has two weeks off ill in any given year, costing businesses a staggering £100 billion annually.  

The GM Wellbeing Series contains events encouraging healthy behaviours using the most accessible and inclusive tools at our disposal: walking, running, meditation and mindfulness sessions to break the cycle, and inspire a nation.   

It even promises to beat loneliness at work – after a post COVID survey showed that one in two employees felt isolated in their workplace. 

And with support of Spindles shopping centre-based Upturn who run a raft of community initiatives, they are determined to reach every corner of Oldham and make wellbeing accessible for all.  

Nick Rusling, CEO of Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series, explained: ““This Wellbeing Series is tailored to people to take part with colleagues and costs the boss a pittance compared to the price of sickness. In fact, every £1 invested in employee wellbeing returns £5 in performance and retention.    

"I came to Oldham to talk to all organisations, businesses small, medium and large about workforce wellbeing and that’s what we’re here to achieve.   

“Wellbeing is something for everyone to get involved with colleagues and we are spreading the word. I have met some amazing businesses across Oldham, and we’re really trying to get into the community.  

“The project is for the whole of Greater Manchester, but I am in Oldham to try and get organisations stuck into our workforce wellbeing initiative involving two big events coming up later this year.”  

He said; “At present, some bigger companies will offer an App to employees for them to check their wellbeing and get expert advice, but the fact is, only 8 per cent of those staff actually engage with them."  

Through nutrition projects such as Tangerine – aimed at older Bangladeshi men – to the mindfulness sessions they hold at their Hive hub for women in business, Upturn were the natural choice to promote the programme throughout the borough.  

Anwar Ali OBE, the Managing Director of Upturn added: “As an organisation batting for business in Oldham, we want them to succeed and not have to be crippled with costs.   

“Even more importantly, we strive to enable all individuals to achieve their maximum potential at work and in their lives. Sickness can be such a barrier to that.  

“From the outside, Oldham may appear a real melting pot of cultures, but we are confident we can reach all of its communities and ensure better physical and mental health for all.”  

Nick’s first goal is to encourage the workforce across Oldham to alert their bosses about the scheme.   

He is also keen to highlight that some activities would be online and that meditation would be useful “not woo woo or spiritual,” meaning no one would be precluded from it.  

Nick was the former boss of the Manchester Marathon and Half Marathon and has already worked extensively across Greater Manchester.   

Recognising that Oldham was a different borough and unique challenge, he added, “the one thing you learn straight away about Oldham is that it is a family and there are a lot of good people here!”   

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, has also offered his support to the initiative: “The Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series is a flagship demonstration that we care about our workforce and our communities. It’s about prevention, not just cure, creating a culture where people look after their mental and physical health together.  

“Wellbeing shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be something everyone can take part in. The Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series gives every organisation, large or small, the chance to make movement and mindfulness part of everyday life. It’s a great example of our city-region’s inclusive approach to health and work, ”he said.  

Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, added: “This is a really exciting programme that shows the power of putting wellbeing front and centre. 

"It’s a brilliant opportunity to bring our workforce together, to feel proud of the organisations we work for and of our city, while embracing wellbeing in a simple and inclusive way.

"At its heart, this aligns with Manchester’s strategy to be greener, fairer and more inclusive, and to support initiatives that drive real change in people’s behaviour. Together, we’re promoting positive change for all Mancunians.”  

For more information and to register your participation visit: www.gmwellbeingseries.com