Moray workplaces step up for Health and Social Care Moray's winter walking challenge
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NEARLY 30 workplaces across Moray have signed up to take part in Health and Social Care Moray’s (HSCM) first winter walking challenge.
A total of 175 walkers from 39 teams, representing 27 different workplaces, will track their steps for eight weeks as part of HSCM's WalkPlaces programme, which started yesterday.
The participants will set personal activity goals along the way, competing in teams and individually to win prizes donated by local businesses.
Teams taking part include: MoD Kinloss Dental, Asda Elgin, NHS, Police Scotland, Moray Council, Moray College, DWP, Tui Travel Agents, Elgin; TK Maxx Elgin; and Lidl Buckie.
Participants will be encouraged to complete weekly challenges to support them to incorporate more physical activity into their working day. This could be finding a new route for a lunchtime walk or doing some strength and balance exercises while they wait for their kettle to boil. Wider health and wellbeing messages, relevant to the workplaces involved, will also be shared.
The WalkPlaces programme is funded by Smarter Choices Smarter Places, which is Paths for All’s programme to increase active and sustainable travel throughout Scotland. The programme is grant-funded by Transport Scotland.
The overall aim of WalkPlaces is to encourage greater workplace uptake and participation in walking activities which can include changing commute behaviour as well as supporting active, healthy and connected working lives from home.
Claire Buchanan, health walk co-ordinator for HSCM, said: "Workplaces are continually having to adapt to coronavirus restrictions right now and for most people, that has meant a return to home working, which can present an array of difficulties.
"There are also unique anxieties faced by staff who are still having to go into their normal workplace."
Frances Bain, walking for health manager at Paths for All, added: "During the first lockdown last spring, our Step Count Challenges were more important than ever for workplaces who faced increased pressures and less social interactions.
"Our challenge is designed to provide motivation for people to get outdoors, reducing stress and anxiety, and connecting colleagues by bringing them together as a team. We’re pleased to be supporting Health and Social Care Moray to help workplaces walk more during a challenging start to 2021."
Walking for as little as 10 minutes outside has been shown to increase creativity, supporting productivity, which has obvious benefits for business.
As the challenge kicks off during a period of national lockdown, participants are reminded about sticking to government guidelines on exercise.
Walking for exercise is permitted and currently there is no limit to how many times people can go out to exercise. Walkers should stay local, adhere to social distancing and only meet outdoors with one person from one other household at this time.
The WalkPlaces programme is available to all workplaces in Moray. For advice on making your workplace – wherever that may be just now – more walkable contact claire.buchanan2@nhs.scot or call 07931 228444.
