A Telford-based media company has been voted Employer of the Year at the county’s annual community sport ‘Oscars’.
J&PR Limited, based in Wellington, picked up the award from skijumping legend Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards at the Energize Awards, held at the International Centre in Telford.
The award recognises a local employer that actively encourages and enables their workforce to be more physically active and lead a healthier lifestyle.
They may also support community sport, for example by sponsoring a local club or encouraging their workforce to volunteer in sport environments.
The judges said: “J&PR is a local PR company run by Rhea Alton and Kirsty Smallman. In addition to their day-to-day business they are involved in a lot of voluntary roles and one of the main aims is to ensure youngsters in the area have healthy and physically active lifestyles.
“Because this is something the directors care about, they also work to ensure employees and freelancers also lead the same sort of lifestyle.”
J&PR is signed up to the Workplace Challenge, supported by Energize, and encourages all staff to take part.
The company offers flexible hours to employees and freelancers who may be training for an event or may just wish to take part in a particular session at the gym.
Staff are also encouraged to take part in active charity events, which have included climbing Snowdon, the Race for Life, the Coracle race and the Dragon Boat Race, and they are given paid time off to take part. J&PR always sponsor staff and encourage other team members to turn out to support them.
J&PR also works with Ball Sports Community Coaching and has signed up to sponsor an awards ceremony it is planning to host next year. Rhea Alton voluntarily organises the Kids Zone at the Shropshire County Show and each year ensures a variety of sports are available.
J&PR sponsors local BMX club, Wrekin Riders, and Kirsty Smallman is a volunteer for the club. J&PR also do PR for the team to support them as they introduce more youngsters to the sport.
PICTURE: The J&PR team receive their award from Eddie Edwards, left, and Telford & Wrekin Council’s director of public health Liz Noakes, right.
