Joe Wicks, The Body Coach, is currently undertaking a ‘workplace tour’ visiting a small selection of businesses who applied to have the fitness coach visit.
On Joe’s website he says:
“For more than 12 years now, my mission has been to get as many people moving, eating better and feeling fitter, healthier and happier. And I’ve decided to take this mission into the workplace to try and help support and encourage businesses and employees to get moving and boost their physical and mental health. I’m going to kick things off by visiting 10 companies across the UK to learn more about how I can help, and to hopefully inspire and motivate your business to get fitter and healthier.”
Among the 10,000 applications was St Cuthbert’s Hospice, Durham.
When Joe visited on Tuesday 11th February he did a 30-minute workout and Q&A chat session with staff and volunteers. Joe also spent time visiting a Strength & Balance group where people from the local community visit for the day to improve their fitness levels to help with daily activities.
Joe also visited patients staying in the Hospice In-Patient ward. A Hospice spokesperson said:
“Joe was so happy to visit some of our patients as we had initially thought they may have been too unwell to see him. When we introduced Joe to Mercedes said to her ‘oh what a lovely name’. Mercedes then told Joe she was originally from Ecuador. To our utter amazement, Joe began speaking fluent Spanish to Mercedes. To witness the joy and delight on her face to hear her own mother tongue was simply incredible. They chatted about Ecuador and places Joe had visited. Such an unexpected moment and so very special to see.”
Joe spent time chatting to Mercedes about where she grew up in Ecuador and chatting about his recent TV appearance on Dragon’s Den.
Nurse Colleen Bell said:
“Mercedes has been an absolute pleasure to care for, she is so lovely and to have this magic moment for her is truly wonderful. That’s what we try to do every day for people at St Cuthbert’s Hospice. To do the unexpected and go the extra mile.”
St Cuthbert’s Hospice Chief Executive Paul Marriott said:
“We were delighted to welcome Joe to the Hospice. Covid taught us that looking after ourselves and our wellbeing is an important part of coping with difficult times. Our Hospice has had its own difficult challenges in recent months where we have been forced make cuts to staffing provision and services, so it is great to have this opportunity to focus on the wellbeing of our staff and volunteers. It’s an important part of keeping up our resilience for the benefit of those who use our services. Joe’s visit was a lift for us all and especially for those who access our care who were able to meet with him.”
