Healthcare professionals in the Calderdale area have the opportunity to improve their health and fitness through a new workplace wellness initiative. The programme, funded by Active Calderdale and delivered by Active Teams, aims to increase physical activity levels through team-based challenges and digital tracking technology.
The Pennine GP Alliance launched the inaugural wellbeing challenge in September, encouraging staff to engage in 15 minutes of daily exercise. After four weeks, the top-scoring team will be crowned champions and participants will continue to be motivated with similar gamified activities.
This programme is a response to a critical local health challenge, as one-third of adults in the Calderdale area do not engage in regular physical activity. This has significant impacts on their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
The first to be offered access to Active Teams are healthcare professionals working within the Calder & Ryburn Primary Care Network, with other Primary Care Networks in Calderdale to follow suit. This investment in the wellness of those who care for the community is a significant step towards creating healthier workplaces and a healthier local population.
Hannah Davies, General Practice Physical Activity Champion at Pennine GP Alliance, shares the importance of physical activity for mental and physical health. “We’re proud to support our staff’s wellbeing through this initiative and look forward to seeing how their experiences inspire patients. When healthcare staff make activity part of their lives, they can share its benefits in a more meaningful way.”
Nairn Robertson, Founder of Active Teams, emphasizes the importance of preventative health measures for sedentary roles in the workforce. “We need innovative approaches to support the NHS’ shift from treatment to prevention. Services like Active Teams, which encourage people towards reaching healthy levels of physical activity through fun team competitions and challenges, are going to be an important piece of the puzzle.”
The initiative aligns with the government’s strategy to increase physical activity levels nationwide, as outlined in the recent whitepapers “Get Britain Working” and “Fit For The Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England”. The focus on healthcare workers on the frontlines of our health services is crucial for the success of this strategy.
Research shows that just 22 minutes of moderate physical activity per day can provide significant health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety by up to 30%, lowering the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes by 40%, and minimizing musculoskeletal problems, a leading cause of workplace absence across the UK. Moderate activity is defined as raising the heart rate, making one breathe harder and break a sweat, while still being able to talk.
Active Calderdale, part of the wider ‘We’re All Active Calderdale’ network, works with communities to make physical activity a normal part of everyday life. Their efforts bring wide-ranging benefits, including improved health and wellbeing, stronger social cohesion, and positive economic impact.
Active Teams helps organizations build a prevention-focused culture through movement, connection, and wellbeing. Their aim is to make physical activity a part of the DNA of workplaces. Pennine GP Alliance is a member-led organization that unites general practice across Calderdale to ensure that GP services remain at the heart of local communities.
For media inquiries, please contact Rowan Kerek Robertson at info@activeteams.co.uk or 07900 022805.
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