Inspired by the Olympic Games, workers across Derbyshire are being encouraged to get in the spirit of the Games and sign up for a sporting challenge with a difference this September.
Supported by Central Health, ‘Shake Up September’ is a national activity logging challenge run by Workplace Challenge, and is encouraging employees to try out as many Olympic or Paralympic sports as possible throughout the month.
Sports range from archery, badminton, basketball and boccia, to volleyball and wheelchair sports such as tennis and rugby.
Workers are being urged to try at least five different sports throughout ‘Shake Up September’, and a special bingo card will be available to download from the Workplace Challenge website from September 1 so that staff can mark down each sport which they have taken part in.
A national leaderboard and a Derbyshire leaderboard will also be running for the duration of the challenge, with participants able to earn points for themselves and their workplace for each activity they log via the Workplace Challenge website or mobile app.
Participants can also share photos of themselves trying out different sports using the hashtag #ShakeUp2016 on social media.
Local prizes will include a team building package at Mount Cook Adventure Centre in Middleton-by-Wirksworth, a skiing taster session at Swadlincote Ski & Snowboard Centre, and a £25 Central Health voucher which can be used for any treatment at Central Physio, Central FootClinic or Central Osteopaths.
According to Public Health England, adults spend up to 60% of our waking hours at work and an estimated 40 per cent of people do not exercise enough. To help combat the issue, Workplace Challenge, which is run by the County Sports Partnership Network and managed locally by Derbyshire Sport, seeks to inspire businesses and encourage workers to get active in and around the working day.
Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer at Derbyshire Sport, said: “Research shows not enough people are exercising and for many of us, the biggest barrier is time. We want to help local businesses to encourage their workers to bring physical activity into and around the working day, and Shake Up September is designed to do just that.
“With the Olympic Games in full flow, there is no better time to get involved and we’ll be showcasing different sports throughout September to get people in the spirit.
“We’re urging workers across the region to make the most of their lunch break, take on the challenge and try out some new sports. You can even go for gold yourself because the more activities you log the higher you will get up our the leaderboards.”
Each day throughout September, Workplace Challenge will be showcasing a different Olympic or Paralympic sport on social media, demonstrating how workers can get away from the desk or leave the factory floor or in search of sport.
For more information about Shake Up September, or to register for the Workplace Challenge, please visit www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/shakeup
