On your feet!  This year, RSK’s annual Pedometer Challenge took place between May 6th – 2nd June, tying in with National Walking Month and Mental Health Awareness Week.

The aim of the Pedometer Challenge is to see how many collective steps can be clocked up in the one month, walk as far as you can, whilst having fun in the process.  Participants are also encouraged to spend time with colleagues from varying departments whilst benefiting from a little healthy competition.  The Pedometer Challenge, now in its fourth year, is one of the many health and wellbeing initiatives RSK engage in, which ultimately saw them shortlisted at this years NCE100 for the Health and Wellbeing Leader of the Year award.

Employees are encouraged to participate in the Pedometer Challenge as a means to boost their physical wellbeing, but also to encourage socialising.  Other perks include getting out in green spaces and taking time out from a busy day.  These all link to different areas of wellbeing.  Not to mention, walking can vastly improve many elements of your wellbeing, not only your physical wellbeing but also your social emotional and mental wellbeing.

As a recent acquisition, two CAN groups (SCANdalously active & CANtaloupes) volunteered for RSK’s biggest event in their wellbeing calendar.

How it works:

All steps were measured via a smart phone or activity tracker, i.e. a Fitbit, worm consistently, even at the weekend.  Progress was then logged on a weekly basis, which relied on honesty and good faith from all participants.

The first ever RSK Pedometer Challenge saw a grand total of 62 million steps recorded.  This year however, 143 teams clocked up a whopping 223,115,116 steps, smashing the 200 million target!  Unfortunately neither of the CAN teams made the Top 50 leaderboards.  However all employees won in terms of personal gain and pride.