Stephen is a winner for supporting workplace walking

Stephen Whiston, with Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership has supported the health and fitness of his colleagues with our Step Count Challenge.

Stephen Whiston, Workplace Step Count Champion 2021

Stephen has been named Step Count Champion of the Year for his work to encourage staff members at Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to become more active and help their health and well-being.

Stephen is a team captain of one of the Step Count Challenge teams at Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership. The partnership provides health and social care services for the people in Argyll and Bute including hospital care, community care, care at home and care homes.

Head of Planning, Performance and Technology at the partnership, Stephen played an active role in developing inclusive ways to get staff involved in health and wellbeing initiatives and the Step Count Challenge was a great way to enhance this. 

Stephen first took part in our Step Count Challenge in 2017 and has since been an encouraging voice to get them to opt for active methods of traveling to boost mental, physical and social wellbeing and have fun.

He said:

​A big part of what we do at the partnership is developing environments and culture to encourage the community to stay healthy through exercise so the Step Count Challenge has been a really positive programme to allow staff to also participate and forgive the pun "walk the talk".

I was very surprised but delighted to hear I’d won the award but it’s really everyone’s hard work in the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership which should be recognised.

2020 and 2021 have clearly been the worst of years, but the 2021 Spring Step Count Challenge has also provided much needed support. It is amazing the number of teams who embraced the commitment to get out there and log their exercise in any form.

 

The enthusiasm in our HSCP for the Step Count Challenge was increased by including a host of additional associated fun challenges such as the best photograph prize and best team name- which was Scrambled Legs and a number of fiendish emoji quizzes to keep the grey matter honed as well, introducing social media updates alongside our leader board.

For me personally, being part of the challenge has helped me be accountable for my own goals., Colleagues know I am a bit competitive and with the Covid-19 restrictions, the Step Count Challenge gave me the motivation to meet my own exercise objectives and as a result, I achieved some new personal bests in cycling. 

This is the beauty of the national Step Count Challenge as you can record steps no matter what activity you do whether that is walking, cycling, swimming or running so everyone can take part. In fact, our Autumn challenge is so popular we now have 60 teams taking part both in Argyll and Bute and NHS Highland.

 

My goal is to encourage people to be active whilst having fun so to be recognised for this award is very humbling and I am delighted to accept it. 

Watch Stephen's video below.

Find out more about how our Step Count Challenge, including bespoke organisational challenges, can help you support your colleagues as the pandemic continues. We also have our Walk at Work Award.

Stephen was among 11 winners at Paths for All's 12th annual Volunteers Awards. You can find out about the rest of the winners here.