Charity calls on businesses to see the benefits of walking at work
SCOTLAND’s walking charity is calling on businesses to get walking at work as part of National Walking Month this May, with a scheme that recognises the importance of staff being active during the working day.
The Paths for All Walk at Work Award recognises and celebrates employers across Scotland who help to promote everyday walking in their workplace, creating a healthier work force, both physically and mentally.
Aimed at encouraging workplaces around the country to explore different ways to get staff active, in and around the working day, the award scheme also promotes wellbeing and a green environment in the workplace.
The charity recently awarded the 50th certification to East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, who used the scheme to encourage their staff to remain active during the working day by providing a programme of lunchtime Health Walks for staff.
As part of the programme, it also provided links and information which were made readily available to staff through a dedicated a wellbeing website, as well as facilities for staff who travel actively to and from work.
Councillor Katie Pragnell, East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board Vice-Chair and Convenor for Health and Social Care accepted the award on behalf of the Partnership.
She commented: “We are delighted to have received the Walk at Work Award, and being the 50th organisation to do so, makes it even more special.
“Staff wellbeing is incredibly important to the HSCP. Our weekly walks have brought people from across services together and have been a positive addition to our programme of activity. We will continue to encourage more people to take part and enjoy a stroll over the summer.”
With the 50th certification being awarded, Paths for All hope that more workplaces around the country will now want to get involved with the scheme.
Kevin Lafferty, CEO of Paths for All stated: “Walking a little more each day has proven benefits to mental and physical health, which is why it’s important that we recognise the workplaces who have received the Walk at Work Award.
“We hope that the work East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership has done will help to inspire other businesses to get certified, and help them become a happier and healthy workplace.
“The Walk at Work Award is an important scheme, which can benefit businesses across the country to not only get fitter but also help to improve the environment.
“By choosing to walk for short trips instead of driving, an individual is improving their health while also reducing air pollution and emissions that are damaging the planet.”
Paths for All’s mission is to support Scots to have the opportunity to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle every day, creating a happier, healthier and greener Scotland and is celebrating National Walking Month by encouraging everyone to put a “Spring in your Step” this May.
For workplaces, Paths for All provides support which includes a free Workplace Walking online course and bespoke Step Count Challenges. The national spring Step Count Challenge, run by Paths for All, kicked off on Monday, 29th April, with over 800 teams taking part.
The charity works to create more opportunities and better environments for everyone in Scotland, no matter who they are or where they live, to stay active through walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling.
For more information about the Walk at Work Award, visit: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/walk-at-work-award
For more information about Paths for All, visit: www.pathsforall.org.uk
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