May 15, 2024

On Tuesday 14 May, as part of our Mental Health Awareness Week activities, the Active Cumbria team took the time to find our own #MomentForMovement with a short wellbeing walk.  This month we were holding our monthly team meeting in Barrow and it was great that we were joined by some Westmorland and Furness Council colleagues too.

Travel Actively Development Officer Siona, and Project Officer Clare, led the walk from Barrow Town Hall which encouraged us to focus on our senses, take notice of the things around us and get to know each other a little better by finding out new things.  We followed Duke Street to Ramsden Square and the library and along Abbey Road before turning and retracing our steps.   The walk finished in the Wellbeing Garden at the Town Hall.

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual campaign by the Mental Health Foundation.  This year they are encouraging us all to find our ‘moment for movement’.  You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved here.

Throughout May we’re also supporting National Walking Month.  Did you know that a regular 20-minute walk can reduce the risk of a number of preventable health conditions, including certain cancers, depression, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes? 

Taking time out of team meetings to focus on our own health and wellbeing with a short walk or other form of movement is something we plan to do more of in the future. Could you encourage your team to do the same?  Or why not go one step further and try a walking meeting. A quick walk in the fresh air will boost your energy and productivity, so try combining a work meeting – or phone call – with a stroll.  Living Streets have lots of ways you can fit 20-minutes of walking into your day – find out more here.