Local charity Sport Aberdeen is thrilled to achieve the Paths for All ‘Walk at Work’ Award, demonstrating its dedication to improving staff health and wellbeing, and encouraging workplace walking.

To accomplish the award, Sport Aberdeen submitted evidence of its actions across three key areas: walking culture, walking community and walking facilities.

Employees at the charity’s headquarters and those working across its citywide venues have been inspired to walk and move more during the working day through various initiatives including dedicated walking champions, participation in the Paths for All Step Count Challenges in spring and autumn each year, and organised social walks at weekends.

One of Sport Aberdeen’s walking champions and HR Business Partner Kerryn McRae completed the Workplace Walking Course through Paths for All earlier in May.

Through its Walk Aberdeen programme, the charity offers a range of free weekly health walks led and supported by trained health walk leaders. These take place across the city and have meeting points in Dyce, Bridge of Don, Sheddocksley, Kingswells, Altens, Rosemount, Cults and Ferryhill.  

By promoting walking as an easy way to get to and from work and meetings, Sport Aberdeen is reducing its carbon footprint and helping to reduce congestion and emissions in Aberdeen. The charity has encouraged active travel through other challenges including Love to Ride’s Bike Month and Love to Ride’s Cycle September Challenge.

Emma Murray, Communications Manager, said: “We were delighted to receive the Walk at Work Award from Paths for All, recognising our commitment to encouraging employees to walk more, keep active and reap the benefits of doing so.

“All contracted staff at Sport Aberdeen receive a free Fitness membership which is a great way to get active through swimming, going to the gym or attending fitness classes all across the city.

“We have made a real effort to promote workplace walking and there is always a buzz when the Step Count Challenges are on, plus a bit of healthy competition!

“Overall, it’s rewarding to have our efforts recognised.”  

Recent findings from UK workplaces reveal that half of all employees experience poor mental health at work, including stress, anxiety and depression. Regular walking can reduce the effects of poor mental health, particularly walking in greenspace.

Scotland’s walking charity Paths for All set up the award to help tackle poor health in the workplace and reverse the trend of inactive workplaces where staff sit for up to nine hours a day. The charity provided Sport Aberdeen with one-to-one support to set up activities to get their workforce walking.

Carl Greenwood, Senior Development Officer at Paths for All, said: “Congratulations to Sport Aberdeen for achieving our Walk at Work Award. It’s brilliant to see Scottish workplaces take the leadin creating a work-based walking culture and making improvements to staff health and wellbeing.”

“Research shows that employees who are physically active in and around the working day take fewer sick days, are more motivated and productive, and are more able to concentrate, so walking is not just good for us, it’s good for business.

“I would urge any Scottish workplace to follow Sport Aberdeen’s lead and use Paths for All’s support to take small steps to a healthier workforce.”

Taking part is free and open to any Scottish workplace that wants to promote an active workforce. Find out more here.