Delegates heard from Laura Croft from the Department of Health about the policy perspective on workplace wellbeing and the adverse effects of poor health in the workplace, which is estimated to cost the economy £100bn a year.

Steve Warner from Symbian Foundation gave an employer’s take on the importance of the project, which would enable staff to get out of the workplace and interact with their local community. He also noted the long-hours culture of many workplaces and the responsibility of employers to address the adverse effects that this can bring.

Many businesses were happy to extend the invitation to get involved in activity that they were already running for their staff – ranging from speed knitting to yoga classes - to other businesses based in the area. Retailers present also commented that staff that left their desks at lunchtime were more likely to get out into the local area to spend at the local shops.

For more information about the Packed Lunch project, please contact Jessica Hill at jhill@waterlooquarter.org