Business owners are being offered the chance to learn more about a new initiative to help improve the health of their employees.

Business Health Matters is an Active Lancashire scheme being delivered across the county and Rossendale Leisure Trust is one of 20 local and national partners.

An event is being held on Tuesday, March 8, from 1pm to 3pm at Rossendale Council Chamber at Futures Park, Bacup, to launch the programme and provide business owners with some skills and information to better look after their teams’ health in the workplace and at home.

Places are free but limited so early booking is recommended.

The event will be led by Active Lancashire and guest speakers will include Rossendale Leisure Trust Chief Executive Keith Masser and Paul Becouarn from employability project Rossendale Works.

Rossendale Council Leader, Cllr Alyson Barnes said: “Rossendale Council consciously try to support our businesses community as much as we can and if we can help them look after their workforce with events like this even better.

“Creating a culture and environment where people feel comfortable and confident discussing mental health and wellbeing, especially after the last two years, is really important and the practical advice and support employers can get to better look after their workforce is vital.”

The three-year £8 million programme aims to train 5,000 workplace health champions and conduct more than 15,000 health screenings in the workplace.

The programme is funded by £5million from the European Social Fund and £3million from UK Research and Innovation healthy ageing challenge.

To book a place, email bradhacking@rossendalebc.gov.uk