A 12-month pilot of a Blue Care Staff Wellness project is about to enter its evaluation phase.

Informal feedback has indicated positive results from the project, which was rolled out west to Longreach, north to Rockhampton and south to Maryborough.

Roxanne Machen checks the latest project feedback

The focus has been on overall well-being rather than simply weight loss and risk reduction.

Ambassadors at each location have been encouraging Blue Care staff to do enjoyable and relaxing activities, including zumba, pilates and tai chi, and social networking such as recipe swapping.

Researcher and project officer Roxanne Machen, from CQUniversity, is arranging focus groups, interviews and questionnaires to glean formal qualitative data indicating the project benefits.

For the 129 staff members taking part in the project - more than 10% of staff across the region - it's hoped the soon-to-be-collected quantitative data will reveal tangible individual and organisational project benefits. 

Roxanne Machen (centre) with project supporters at the launch in 2009