Businesses rally round to support our staff

LOCAL companies rallied round to support hardworking RGS staff and boost their wellbeing during the weeks before we were forced to close school due to the spread of coronavirus.

We are extremely grateful to all of those who stepped in to show how much they care for others in their community and wish them and their businesses the very best in the coming weeks, months and years ahead. 

We all hope they will thrive when we emerge on the other side.

Gift vouchers for everything from gym memberships to cinema tickets, yoga classes, massages, scented candles, mindfulness books and Himalayan bath salts were attached under random chairs at a staff wellbeing session.

Nicola Lymer, of Exhale Fitness Yoga in Ripon, who donated a yoga and meditation class, said: “We all recognise what a valuable job teachers and support staff do, and how stressful it can be. It’s nice to be able to say thank you. I hope that this offer of yoga and meditation will help give someone a little boost with relaxation and time out for themselves.”

Sam Barrett, of Core Fitness in Ripon, which donated gym membership vouchers, added: “Having worked at schools for many years, I have seen first-hand the time, effort and dedication that teachers put into each and every student. We all know the importance of health and fitness, so as a token of our appreciation we at Core Fitness would like to give something back.”

Caroline Huber, of Pure Skin Lab in Darley, who donated a selection of gift bags, said: “We hope these small offers of our natural wellbeing gifts will help promote relaxation and focus on well-being of the amazing staff of Ripon Grammar School.”

Carole Hilton-Stone, who offered discount vouchers for tailored holistic massages, commented: “We can never underestimate the importance of self-care and relaxation. I hope my vouchers go some way in helping the teachers and support staff at Ripon Grammar School take good care of themselves, so they can take good care of the students they are teaching.”

Ripon Grammar School has been working towards a North Yorkshire Workplace Wellbeing Award, which encourages organisations to support their workforce to adopt healthier lifestyles and address health and wellbeing issues within the workplace.

*Please see the full list, below, of those businesses which kindly supported our wellbeing event:

Pure Skin Lab, Darley. W: www.pureskinlab.com T: 01423 623660 E: info@pureskinlab.com

Origin Health Club, River View Road, Ripon. W: www.originhealthclub.co.uk T:01765 690406 E: contact@originhealthclub.co.uk

Curzon Cinema, 75, North Street, Ripon. W: www.curzoncinemas.com T:0333 321 0104

Core Fitness, Unit 5, Marshall Way, Ripon. W: www.corefitnessripon.co.uk E: corefitnessripon@outlook.comT: 01765 606708

Exhale Fitness Yoga, The Mindful Space Wellbeing Studio, Canal Wharf, Bondgate Green, Ripon T: 07950 673975

Carole Hilton Stone, holistic massage therapist, The Garden Treatment Room, Dalegarth, Bedale Lane, Wath. W: www.carolehiltonstone.co.uk T: 07737 037 248 E: massage@carolehiltonstone.co.uk

Nuffield Health fitness and wellbeing gym, Hornbeam Park Road, Harrogate. W: www.nuffieldhealth.com E: T: 01423 900885