Taking a stand for a healthier working life

Since 2017, the Active Communities team at Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (Fife Council and NHS Fife) have ramped up efforts to encourage staff to get active and lead healthy lifestyles, with the aim of reducing sedentary behaviour in the workplace.

From promotional campaigns, to a training plan for managers and working together with local sports and leisure partners – a range of initiatives have been rolled out which are helping to advance change.

The impact of Covid-19 has made this work even more important, whereby getting outside and moving around during the day has had a major impact on staff health and wellbeing.

The successful campaign called ‘Get off your seat and on your feet’ was initially piloted in two council departments and resulted in the creation of a digital toolkit.

This also sparked the launch of a Mile a Day Challenge, where routes have been mapped out from the main council and hospital buildings – encouraging staff to walk a mile a day during their lunch break or 1:1 meetings.

Alongside this, Fife’s ‘Bums off seats’ walking programme was adapted to meet Covid-19 guidelines and relaunched in summer 2020. 178 led walks took place, with 198 walkers taking part from July until December 2020.

56 new walk leaders have been trained online during the pandemic and people from across Fife are able to join – with lots of positive feedback around how it’s brought the community together throughout the pandemic.

A May Walking Challenge has also been established, where individuals, friends and families come together to walk 124 miles throughout the month around some of Fife’s historical places.

The digital toolkit to help reduce sedentary behaviour in the workplace has been updated, to reflect the new working from home environment.

Proposed activities support staff to keep moving throughout the day – from doing some quick indoor exercises, to using a stand up desk or popping out for a brisk walk around the block.

The toolkit also highlights all of the health benefits of keeping active, including improved mental wellbeing, fitness levels and concentration.

The team have also capitalised on existing council and NHS Fife awareness weeks, guiding staff through some gentle exercises and producing a range of online video clips – including tai chi, strength and balance, mobility, and the benefits of walking.

A member of staff at Fife Council said: “It’s great to discover that just a little movement throughout the day can make a big difference. The toolkit has also been a real reminder of the importance of not just having a walk at lunchtime, but interspersing movement throughout the working day and changing up your desk setup where possible.”

Ann Kerr, Active Community Officer for Physical Activity at Active Fife said: “Humans are designed to move and sitting for long periods can have a hugely negative impact on our bodies. Being active is the easiest, cheapest, most widely available thing we can do to look after our wellbeing. Every move counts.”

To find out more about these initiatives and the activities that are available, please visit the Active Fife website.

You can also check out their short video here to discover how often we should move to reduce sedentary behaviour and why it’s more important now than ever, to make a stand for a healthier you.