With so much uncertainty and negativity in the world right now, the CTSI Team have decided to share some positive and uplifting stories. Some members of the CTSI Team put on their walking shoes and took on the Step Count Challenge.

The Step Count Challenge

(Written by Louise Orr – Team Leader for Volunteering & Routes to Work)

CTSI recently had two staff teams take part in Paths for All’s most recent Step Count Challenge throughout April, which had the tagline “ditch the desk, walk the walk”.   

The challenges were started on the back of research showing that even a short walk can benefit our physical and mental health and can help to prevent a range of health conditions including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity, some cancers, help to improve sleep, and have a positive effect on our mental health too.    

This challenge was different in that the focus during the pandemic really was on mental and emotional wellbeing – encouraging teams to make movements often, even if only in short bursts.  CTSI certainly found the challenge motivational – working from home has thrown up challenges regarding separating work and home life.  Add children, furloughed spouses, and constant stressful, worrying news stories in to the mix, and the focus on taking time away from it all to enjoy our stunning County, and get some fresh air, was welcome, and needed.

Both teams in CTSI embraced the challenge, amassing well over a million steps each, and found creative ways to keep raising their step counts – from our Star Stepper Colin, who challenged himself to an 8 mile circuit each day, our gardening loving Chief Officer Anthea – not only active in her own garden, but involved in volunteering for Alloa in Bloom, or our Office Manager Lesley dancing between emails!   

We would encourage our local groups to get involved in the next challenge.  Keep an eye out for details here – https://www.stepcount.org.uk/ 

Or, take the Diabetes UK One Million Step Challenge, starting July – https://step.diabetes.org.uk/