Berry's Coaches joins campaign to promote blood pressure awareness

Berry's Coaches, a family-run business with a rich history in passenger transport dating back to 1920, recently participated in the 'Take the Pressure Off' campaign, a joint initiative between NHS Somerset and Somerset Council.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about high blood pressure and encourage early detection through free blood pressure checks within communities across Somerset.

High blood pressure is a serious health concern. In the UK, it affects one in four adults, significantly increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Worryingly, one in three people in Somerset with high blood pressure are unaware they have it.

With this in mind, Berry’s Coaches, committed to the well-being of their staff, offered on-site blood pressure checks for employees.

“Early detection is crucial in managing high blood pressure,” says Professor Trudi Grant, executive director of Public and Population Health, joint appointment between Somerset Council and NHS Somerset.

“A simple blood pressure check, which takes around a minute, can potentially save lives.

“We encourage everyone to take advantage of this free service offered at local pharmacies or by borrowing a monitor from their local Somerset library.”

James Berry, general manager at Berry's Coaches, echoes the importance of the initiative.

"The health and well-being of our staff are paramount to the smooth operation of our business.

“Partnering with the 'Take the Pressure Off' campaign allows us to provide our employees with the opportunity to check their blood pressure and take proactive steps to manage their health.

“A healthy workforce is not only good for them, but also good for our customers and the overall success of Berry's Coaches.”

Find out more about the ‘Take the Pressure Off’ campaign at bit.ly/blood-pressure-somerset.