The trust has scooped a top honour for our efforts to create a healthy, happy workforce.

We were crowned Workplace of the Year in the fifth annual Get Berkshire Active Awards.

The county sports partnership hosted a ceremony at Reading’s Hilton Hotel on Friday 10 February.

Among the guests was hockey star Giselle Ansley, who won a gold medal with Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

We were one of 13 organisations, clubs, schools and individuals to be honoured on the night.

In 2016, inspired by the enthusiasm of Melanie Walker, our employee engagement project manager, colleagues took part in Women’s Sport Week, paddled canoes on the River Thames, won a badminton tournament and played ‘soccercise’ at the home of Maidenhead United.

Others were put through their paces during Workout at Work Day or went the distance as they measured their daily steps in a pedometer challenge.

We also signed up for the Workplace Challenge, an online activity tracker in which employees log their sporting endeavours to gain points and prizes.

Almost 170 colleagues from across our hospital sites are taking part.

Janet King, director of HR and corporate services, said: “We are delighted to win this prestigious award which recognises our continued work to improve the health and wellbeing of our colleagues.

“A healthy workforce is important to deliver the best possible care to our patients.

“Investing in our health and wellbeing will also help to reduce sickness rates, stress and improve staff recruitment and retention.”