Caithness business supports workplace walking campaign
A Caithness business is playing its part in a campaign aimed at encouraging people to walk at work.
Scottish walking charity Paths for All is publicising National Walking Month this May with a scheme that recognises the importance of staff being active.
The Paths for All Walk at Work Award celebrates employers who help to promote everyday walking in their workplace – creating a healthier workforce both physically and mentally.
The award scheme also highlights the importance of wellbeing and a green environment in the workplace.
Brenda Tait leads Walk at Work activities for the Jacobs UK office in Scrabster. Jacobs UK completed the award in 2023.
Brenda said: “I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the Walk at Work Award and, for me, I gained a great deal – connecting with new employees while out walking, giving something back by participating in a beach clean, slowing down just a little to take notice of our beautiful surroundings, keeping active throughout the day and banishing the mid-afternoon slump, and learning little things about each other and about some of the walks we undertook.
“It was a great, feelgood, healthy initiative to be part of and I’m sure I lost a pound or two along the way as well.”
Paths for All recently awarded its 50th certification to East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, which has provided a programme of lunchtime health walks for staff.
The charity hopes more workplaces around the country will want to get involved in the scheme.
Kevin Lafferty, CEO of Paths for All, said: “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 that have received the Walk at Work Award.
“The Walk at Work Award is an important scheme which can benefit businesses across the country to not only get fitter but also help 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 daily walking, wheeling or cycling and create “a happier, healthier and greener Scotland”.
The national spring Step Count Challenge, run by Paths for All, began at the end of April with more than 800 teams taking part.