Ward complete the Step into Summer: Jubilee Edition challenge

Throughout June, Ward took part in the Kent & Medway Healthy Workplace Programme ‘Step into Summer: Jubilee Edition’ Activity Challenge along with 10 other companies across Kent.

All teams had a collective target of 700,000 activity points, and finished on a staggering 935,694 activity points. Collaboratively 17,363,035 steps and 8,220 miles were completed – enough to walk from Buckingham Palace to Balmoral Castle and back, over 8 times!

Teams were ranked in a leader board with the “top” Kent and Medway organisation winning the title of ‘Most Active Workplace’. Ward finished 1st resulting from the highest average activity points per person.

Well done to the 34 participants from Team Ward and the other companies who participated.

More about the challenge
The four week team challenge was open to all businesses involved in the Kent & Medway Healthy Workplaces programme. Each company forms a team, and then the members of each team logs any activity they partake in, from walking to gardening, tennis and yoga.

The Step Into Summer Challenge was created to remind us how staying active not only benefits our physical health, but our mental health too. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can help to improve our sleep, our mood, manage stress, and reduce our risk of developing depression by 30%!

Hear from some members of the team that took part:

Abby Drysdale, Business Development Advisor, added “As Team Captain I wanted to make sure I was doing my part and ensuring we were getting as many points as possible. It was so good to see so many people sign up and really go for it. Each day someone would talk to me about the challenge and let me know how their weekend was and what activities they got up to. We planned lunch time walks to keep the momentum going, and it was so great to see people who would not necessarily go out on lunch, join in. People got to spend time with others that they wouldn’t normally get the chance to which really cemented new friendships as well. I also personally think it really boosted moral around. I’m very proud of everyone who participated and look forward to our next challenge, whatever this may be #teamward.”

Mark Hobden, Risk Director and ranked first in Team Ward, said “Very pleased that Ward came first in the challenge, everyone put in a great amount of effort over the month.

The challenge encouraged me to run a bit more than I usually would, and it was good to see some friendly rivalries amongst the Top Ten.”