Ongo colleagues get to “know their numbers” as part of national blood pressure campaign

On Tuesday 9th September, 15 of our colleagues took a proactive step towards better heart health by getting their blood pressure checked, as part of the national Know Your Numbers campaign, led by Blood Pressure UK.

The drop-in session, held at Ongo House and facilitated by Chloe from North Lincolnshire Council, aimed to raise awareness of cardiovascular health and encourage individuals to “know their numbers”.

With an estimated 14,000 people in North Lincolnshire unknowingly living with high blood pressure, the initiative is a vital reminder of the importance of regular checks.

Jo-Ann Locking, People and Culture Officer at Ongo, shared her thoughts on the campaign: “We’re proud to raise awareness of such an important health issue. High blood pressure often goes unnoticed, yet it’s one of the leading causes of strokes and heart attacks.

“I’d like to thank North Lincolnshire Council, especially Chloe, for coming along and making it easy for our colleagues to get checked. It’s a small step that could make a big difference.”

Sarah Dale, Income Collection Officer at Ongo was one of those who had a check. She said: “I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to get my blood pressure checked so easily at work. It’s something I probably wouldn’t have got round to doing otherwise, and it’s reassuring to know everything’s okay.

“Big thanks to everyone involved for making it so accessible – it’s a brilliant initiative and definitely made me think more about my health.”

The ideal blood pressure is under 120/80mmHg, but with 6 million people in the UK unaware they have high blood pressure, initiatives like this are crucial. Every day, 350 people in the UK suffer a stroke or heart attack that could have been prevented—highlighting the importance of knowing your numbers.

We are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our colleagues and encourage everyone to take full advantage of the opportunities available to monitor and maintain their health. Our benefits package is designed to promote physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing through a wide range of resources.

These include paid annual leave, free life assurance, enhanced maternity and paternity packages, and discounts at local gyms, Costa, and Starbucks. We also offer a Cycle to Work scheme, access to counselling and health services through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and occupational health support such as physiotherapy.

To support financial wellbeing, colleagues can access the Credit Union and the Simply Health cash plan, which includes GP services, medical scans, and exclusive retail discounts through Simply Rewards. Our Housing Perks scheme adds even more value, helping colleagues lead healthier, happier lives both at work and at home.