The Balance Approach creates a healthy workforce across Lancashire

Looking after the welfare of young prisoners and communities in India has given Ruth Shaw and Jackie Robinson enough insight to set up their own health and wellness programme.
Ruth Shaw and Jackie RobinsonRuth Shaw and Jackie Robinson
Ruth Shaw and Jackie Robinson
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A lightning moment of clarity for two Garstang businesswomen

The pair run The Balance Approach, which provides wellness support to businesses, aiding staff productivity by providing the correct work/life balance which in turn improves the health of their business.

The firm also provides Balance Retreats, which are small personable groups providing workshops and relaxation methods.

Ruth ShawRuth Shaw
Ruth Shaw
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Jackie, a holistic therapist, of Hoghton, has spent years of living overseas in countries such as India gaining a wealth of knowledge of the benefits of Ayurvedic treatments.

She says: “I began my travels more than 30 years ago when I embarked on a Greek cruise liner as the manager and hairdresser of the beauty salon.

“I was truly fascinated by the different cultures and so I continued my travels, living in a variety of places in Europe, India, Egypt and Sri Lanka.

“My interest for the Ayrovedic way of life changed my way of thinking in every way mentally, physically, emotionally and spirituality.

Ruth ShawRuth Shaw
Ruth Shaw
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“I learnt how to live more naturally, treat ailments with herbs and spices, show gratitude for everything and I realised prevention is better than cure, and this led to me becoming a qualified holistic therapist, using herbs and spices, beneficial massage and reflexology and breathing techniques used in yoga.

“I am researching a Japanese way of life, Ikigai, which helps to bring balance in our life looking at all areas and particularly paying attention to work life balance.

“So many people are in a permanent state of stress, anxiety and depression which is believed to be the trigger of most diseases and conditions.

“The Balance Approach will teach you how to restore happy triggers, gaining a healthier more fulfilling life.”

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Since she was a young girl, Ruth, of Chorley, has always been into fitness, with a particular passion for running. She took on a job in the NHS as a health trainer and has been a life coach for 15 years.

The 44-year-old says: “I trained to be a fitness instructor and started looking at the treatment side. I worked in the community at GP surgeries, offering advice of lifestyle changes to tackle high cholesterol and blood pressures.

“I also worked at a young offenders’ institute in Hindley, near Wigan.

“That was really interesting and different to working in the community as the lads inside were underweight. They didn’t eat properly, smoked and drank heavily.

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“It was all about changing their strategy as healthy eating was a new concept to them.”

Together, their drive to help people make healthier choices led them to assess how employees’ lives were affected by what is going on at work.

She adds: “I am passionate about health and wellbeing and seeing people make positive changes.

“It is all about changing attitudes, which has positive effects on other areas in your life, such as relationships, mental health and confidence.

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“Health and Wellness in our employees must be the top priority. Implementing a health and wellness programme at work has been proven to reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, staff loyalty and intimately profits.

“Our packages are tailor made to needs of the staff and business. Giving staff the right information and tools to make healthy lifestyle choices, improving physical, mental and emotional health, creates long term change by changing mindset and increasing energy levels. We are passionate about education and believe that giving our knowledge on all spectrums, including schools, GP surgeries, businesses and charities, we can spread awareness and give simple tools and gain accountability for are own health.”

n Ruth and Jackie are hosting a meet and greet at Moda Aesthetics, St Thomas’ Road, Chorley, on April 23, from 4.30pm until 7.30pm.

To attend email [email protected].