Countrywise welcomes local MP, Alan Johnson in bid for the UK to stay cooler!


Alan Johnson MP visited Countrywise Water Coolers in Hull as part of a UK-wide campaign to raise general awareness of the importance of regularly drinking water in the workplace.

The Stay Cooler! Campaign, launched by the British Water Cooler Association (BWCA) is linking with politicians, Trade Unions and interest groups across the UK to ensure the true value of the UK water cooler business is made clear to those who matter - including both consumers and decision makers.

Countrywise is the leading supplier of plumbed-in and bottled water coolers across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, and has been operating for 20 years. Diane Stow, Managing Director, said: “Both bottled and plumbed in water coolers provide an essential resource to help people drink water more frequently, by making it more accessible, appealing and refreshing.

“During a time when workplace cuts are becoming more and more commonplace, we want to send out a clear message that drinking water at work is good for productivity - and a cost-effective way to keeping employees healthy and happy in their workplace. It is also a critical component of a wider campaign to improve the general health of the UK population and tackle ongoing health issues such as heart disease and obesity.”

Alan Johnson MP added: “Countrywide Water Coolers is a successful company in my constituency. Raising awareness of the importance of regularly drinking water in the work place will not only improve employment prospects in Hull, it will also improve occupational health across the country”.



The Stay Cooler! campaign is highlighting research which shows that it is medically proven that consistent hydration for UK adults can help to improve workplace concentration, reduce headaches, prevent feelings of tiredness, anxiety and irritability – and help prevent many of the minor complications that can lead to lost productivity and absence from work.

Just two per-cent loss of body water can result in 10% drop in physical and mental performance. The Food Standards Agency recommends that we drink six to eight glasses of water every day.

John Dundon, Chairman of the BWCA added: “The message of the BWCA campaign is “Keep water coolers in the workplace!”.

“While it might be tempting to look at cutting water cooler provision during tough economic times, the long-term benefits to workplace productivity and wellbeing far outweigh any cost savings in the shorter term.”

“The campaign will show how BWCA members are playing a key role in water provision, pursuing technological advances in sanitisation and water quality whilst developing a thriving business that is both customer focused and environmentally sustainable.”

As well as targeting the decision makers, the Stay Cooler! campaign is also using innovative social networking and media techniques to harness consumer awareness of water provision, and empowering consumers them to join the campaign. This includes setting up a Facebook page to drive discussion and debate about water provision in the workplace.

For more information on the Stay Cooler! campaign, visit:
www.facebook.com/StayCooler
or
www.bwca.org.uk

Ten tips for drinking more water:


1. On a sedentary day, try to drink around two litres of water.

2. Start by drinking a glass of fresh water when you get up in the morning.

3. If you are not used to drinking water regularly, try initially replacing just one of your other drinks a day with fresh water, increasing your consumption as the weeks go by.

4. Ask for a glass of water to go with your coffee and tea in cafes.

5. Drink a glass of water before and during each meal.

6. Hot water with fresh mint, lemon balm or a piece of fruit in - like lime, lemon, orange etc often helps those who want a hot drink.

7. Carry a bottle filled with chilled tap water with you whenever you leave the house.

8. During exercise, drink at 10 to 15 minute intervals or think of it as a full glass every 30 minutes drink slowly and drink early, it’s physically easier to do this when you are still feeling fresh.

9. Keep a check on your urine. As a general guide to hydration, it should be plentiful, pale in colour and odourless.

10. Provide a Countrywise water cooler wherever you have got thirsty, hot or tired staff.

Well-placed water coolers are the ideal solution to ensuring that people stay hydrated in the workplace. Choose from bottled or plumbed-in coolers from Countrywise.