29 May 2025
Holland and Barrett, the leading health and wellness retailer, has announced the launch of its flagship Live Well Programme to address the health challenges faced by workers in Sri Lanka, a pioneering supply chain wellness initiative that puts health in the hands of workers.
Using a ‘Train the Trainer’ model, it empowers employees to become peer-led health champions - delivering practical, culturally relevant education on nutrition, hygiene, mental wellbeing, and disease prevention. The Live Well programme is designed to scale across global supply chains, turning workplaces into engines of long-term behavioural change and shared value.
Supported by Health@Work wellness model from impact organisation Swasti, the programme is currently being piloted with English Tea Shop, B-corp certified partner of Holland and Barrett’s Tea with Benefits with the aim of reaching 200 people. In Sri Lanka, where non-communicable diseases account for nearly 75% of all deaths, a recent needs assessment uncovered limited awareness among workers around essential health topics such as nutrition, stress management, physical activity, and self-care. Critically, it also highlighted a significant gap between health knowledge and daily practice.
In response, Live Well delivers holistic healthcare education and practical training designed to inspire long-term behavioural change. At its core is a ‘Train the Trainers’ model, which empowers English Tea Shop employees through adult learning techniques, enabling them to become peer facilitators and health champions within their workplaces. Training focuses on key areas such as nutrition, personal hygiene, emotional wellbeing, ergonomics, seasonal illnesses, and prevention of lifestyle diseases.
This initiative supports English Tea Shop’s wider commitment to its ‘Prajāva’ Wellbeing Model, which focuses on inclusive health, education, and empowerment.
“This partnership reflects our shared vision of healthier, more empowered communities across our international supply chain,” said Amy Lance, Category Director – Food and Sport, Holland & Barrett. “By focusing on education, behaviour change, and a community-first approach, we’re working towards a future where wellness is not a luxury but a universal right.”
Nilusha George, Prajāva Wellbeing Lead & Facilitator at English Tea Shop, added:
“Prajāva - the Sri Lankan word for “community” - is at the heart of our philosophy to bring meaningful impact. Health has always been a core pillar of our Prajāva wellbeing model, and we’ve led several initiatives to promote healthy behaviours at work. Through the Live Well Programme we’re further improving our efforts in bringing real behavioural change that supports not only factory employees but also their families. We’re now looking to strengthen our impact further in areas like water and nutrition intake.”
Ramesh Panavalli, Head of Responsible Sourcing and Human Rights at Holland and Barrett, said, “At Holland & Barrett, we believe wellness starts at the source, and that includes the wellbeing of those working in our supply chain. Live Well is a testament to this, as it seeks to provide preventive care, promote healthy lifestyles, and improve access to medical services at all levels of our supply chain. But this is just the beginning. Sri Lanka is our pilot project, and this is an opportunity for us to learn and understand the impact on the people who make our products. We hope to scale this to other regions as part of our long-term ESG strategy.”
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