Moving regularly is a proven way to boost mood, build confidence and feel more energised. Active Surrey has released a new set of free workplace wellbeing posters designed to help employers promote movement and create healthier working environments.

Why is movement important?

• Just 15 minutes of movement a day can reduce workplace stress by 15% and boost productivity and creativity by 32%
• Physically active workers take 27% fewer sick days
• Physical activity programmes in the workplace reduce absence by 20%
• The return on investment for physical activity in the workplace programmes is up to £34 return for every £1 spent.

Posters that encourage active choices

Active Surrey has created a toolkit of posters designed to gently nudge staff to choose healthier, more active options where they are able to:

• Step Up Your Game – Choose the stairs instead of the lift – view here
• Walk the Talk – Take your meetings on the move – view here
• Make Your Commute Count – Walk or cycle to get to and from work – view here
• Get Up, Stand Up – Break up long periods of sitting – view here

The posters work best if they are placed in high‑impact locations such as lifts, meeting rooms, and car parks, to encourage staff to consider taking up options for additional movement.

Movement posters for staff desks

The Active Surrey team also created two desk-friendly resources designed to be simple, accessible, and effective, helping workplaces build a culture where movement becomes a natural part of the working day.:

• Desk-Based Stretches & Movements – a simple visual guide to stretches that ease tension and support better posture – view here
• 6 Ways to Sit Less & Move More – quick, practical tips to help break up sitting time – from stretching at their desk to talking walking meetings – view here.

Use the posters around your workplace

Surrey businesses that would like their staff to benefit from increasing activity can easily:

• Download these posters and get lots more ideas from the Active Workplaces website
• Display the posters in communal areas, and share with colleagues
• Get in touch by emailing becky.hadley@surreycc.gov.uk if you’d like printed copies for your workplace

Find out more about Active Surrey, and the Active Travel Grants that are currently available to help your staff travel to work in a more sustainable and healthy way.

New flexible work experience options make it easier than ever for Surrey employers to offer placements to young people – with the benefits to businesses spelled out in recent research.

Gone are the days of the traditional five-day placement. New Government guidelines around work experience mean employers can now offer placements that fit around the realities of modern business – from half-day site visits and workplace safaris to hands-on projects and hybrid block placements spread across weeks rather than days.

The move comes as research from The Careers & Enterprise Company’s Employer Standards 2024/25 reveals that businesses engaging with work experience are 77% more likely to report tangible business benefits including a stronger talent pipeline. That figure rises to 90% among employers offering a broader range of experiences, including T-Levels and job shadowing.

A variety of formats means work experience now works for everyone

Surrey Careers Hub, which connects schools, colleges and employers across the county, is encouraging businesses to explore the new work experience offering to find a format that suits them.

Shorter site visits can welcome groups of students for guided tours, demonstrations and Q&A sessions with staff – giving young people a real window into a sector with minimal disruption to the working day. For businesses based on enterprise parks or industrial estates, workplace safaris offer a collaborative option. By partnering with two to four neighbouring employers to host students for 30 to 45 minutes each, businesses can share the load while giving students a richer, multi-business experience.

For employers wanting deeper engagement, block placements have been redesigned for flexibility. Students can attend on consecutive days, one day, of just a couple of hours a week over a month, or through a hybrid mix of in-person and virtual. Hands-on project briefs go further still. This involves setting students a real business challenge; a marketing campaign, a sustainability proposal, a new piece of website content – with students presenting their final work to the team and receiving professional feedback.

Employers see the benefits to their business

Ellie Smith, Social Value Consultant at Epsom-based law firm AtkinsRéalis, said: “The new modern work experience system has made it much easier for us to connect with young people in a meaningful and flexible way. Our virtual work experience programme works particularly well because it removes barriers around travel and scheduling, enabling students to take part and gain real insight into the world of work.  

“We’ve found that project‑based work experience and insight days are especially effective, as they allow students to work on real‑world challenges and develop tangible skills while gaining a clearer understanding of the careers available in our sector. It’s been a really successful model for us, and we’re seeing genuine curiosity, confidence, and capability grow in the young people who take part.” 

Cath Burnet, Head of Audit at professional services firm KPMG UK, said: “At KPMG, we’ve seen how these experiences broaden horizons and help young people connect their strengths to real opportunities. But this only works when businesses collaborate. By opening our doors wider, we can offer young people a clearer picture of what’s possible and, in doing so, strengthen the future workforce.”

Ian Browne, Early Careers Leader at Lloyds Banking Group, added: “In the world of hybrid working, the traditional five-day work experience is ever challenging to achieve. Our approach offers experiences of the workplace of different lengths and venues for maximum flexibility and scale.”

Surrey Careers Hub provides tailored support to help businesses design visits that work for them, including guidance on accessibility and safeguarding.

To find out how your business can get involved, email careers.hub@surreycc.gov.uk or read more about the modern work experience opportunities.

Finding the right people for hard-to-fill roles is one of the biggest challenges facing employers today. With around 728,000 vacancies across the UK, many businesses are struggling to fill skills gaps. But what if there was a ready pool of motivated, loyal candidates – backed by expert support to ensure they succeed in your business?

Connect to Work is a new supported employment programme funded by UK government, and delivered by Surrey County Council. It connects employers with those who want to work but face barriers to employment. The scheme includes people living with disabilities, health conditions, and those experiencing other significant challenges in accessing the job market.

Compelling business case

Research by Mencap found that workers with learning disabilities often have no whole-day absences, far fewer late arrivals and significantly higher job loyalty than the UK average.

And according to a broad review by CBM UK, inclusive employment – correctly supported – can lead to equal or greater productivity, lower absenteeism, better attendance and stronger safety records. The review also found workplace accommodations for disabled staff often benefit the wider workforce (e.g. flexible work, better wellbeing support), improving overall staff retention and company resilience.

All this leads to lower staff turnover, which reduces costs associated with recruitment, onboarding and training. And sectors that struggle to recruit, such as retail, hospitality, social care and logistics, often match well to the skills and flexibility offered by disabled or learning-disabled candidates.

Tap into talent

By partnering with Connect to Work, you’ll also tap into a substantial, under-utilised talent pool. Research shows that 86% of people with learning disabilities who aren’t working want a job. These candidates are particularly well-suited to roles involving routine tasks, warehousing, retail, and basic admin – exactly the positions many employers struggle to fill.

Tangible business benefits

And the benefits extend beyond just filling job roles. Businesses that embrace inclusive hiring report improved workplace morale, better team cohesion and a more empathetic, supportive culture. Your reputation strengthens too, building community trust that’s invaluable for customer-facing businesses. Inclusive hiring also enhances your employer brand by boosting your evidence of social value, and can help your business secure contracts where diversity and social impact matter.

How to get involved

Connect to Work is completely free to employers of any size, matching Connect to Work’s supported candidates to your vacancies at minimum wage or above.

Your dedicated Employment Specialist will help with job matching, supporting the application process, and providing ongoing workplace support for as long as needed – ensuring success for everyone involved.

If you’re ready to build a stronger workforce, get in touch at STEPSurrey@surreycc.gov.uk to discuss how Connect to Work can benefit your business.