Active Wellbeing 2025
2nd December 2024
Your nudge to budge to get active this year.
February may be the shortest month of the year, but after a cold, damp winter, it can start to feel like the longest. Not surprising then, if you’re finding it hard to budge from your favourite spot on the sofa.
After some well-deserved me time over winter we can often find the sofa a little tricky to leave, your thumb is getting more exercise from scrolling than the rest of your body and Netflix asks if you’re ‘still watching’, it might be time for a little nudge to budge. And that’s where Active Wellbeing is here to help.
What is Active Wellbeing?
Active Wellbeing is the UK’s largest physical activity campaign, helping members of the civil service and public sector to move more, stay active and improve their wellbeing.
Throughout February, you’re encouraged to increase your activity through our fun Around-the-World challenge. There’s loads of prizes, funding, ideas and opportunities to find something you enjoy and to move more often. That could be an impromptu or organised lunchtime walk to get you away from the screen. An afterwork yoga or self-defence class. Or simply just exploring the great outdoors with your colleagues, friends or family.
Around-the-World Challenge
Running (pardon the pun) throughout February is the famed Around-the-World activity challenge. Working together in teams to reach one giant goal getting around the globe in just 25 days. To help you on your way, you’ll have the chance to win some top prizes, like smart watches, headphones, days out, vouchers for holidays and activity equipment.
But what’s unique about Active Wellbeing’s Around-the-World challenge, is, it’s for everyone. Not just for elite athletes or those who get their 5K in every day. Every activity counts towards the team total. Whether you’re dropping the kids off, doing the housework, climbing the stairs, shopping, going for a swim or working out in the gym.
Active Wellbeing a Closer Look
For those of us who need a little nudge to budge from our sofa and socials, every week you’ll be given new tools, tips and treats to stay active, each with a new theme.
Active Indoors – Get loads of inspiration to stay mobile, whether in the comfort of home or the convenience of the office.
Active Travel – Make the most of the hours in the day you have by moving more in your commute. Whether it’s dusting off your old bike or taking a lunchtime walk.
Active Outdoors – For those beautiful crisp days that are just right for a walk in the woods or an ariel adventure.
Active Together – Feel the benefits of socialising your exercising, from organised team sports to family fun time or volunteering with CSSC.
Why should you get involved with Active Wellbeing?
Apart from being loads of fun, Active Wellbeing is a fantastic way to unite with co-workers, while increasing your activity levels. Spending quality time with colleagues makes coming in to work much more enjoyable. It even helps you reach out to other teams and departments across the country, and those working remotely, increasing your network and contacts and decreasing isolation, anxiety and loneliness.
Because it highlights the immeasurable mental, emotional and physical health benefits of being active it’s fully supported by senior leaders across all departments and HRs. It compliments your workplace wellbeing strategies, encouraging collaboration and community, supporting sustainable behavioural changes and improving your work-life balance.
But don’t take our word for it
Over 50,000 colleagues from across the civil service and public sector have taken part in Active Wellbeing. 94% of participants felt AW motivated them to be more active and value their own wellbeing. Over two thirds kept up healthier habits from the previous Active Wellbeing campaigns and thanks to Active Wellbeing over 70% of people were getting active 5+ times a week throughout the challenge.
What we had to say from AW24…
“Active Wellbeing helped me to stay mindful of how much activity my team and I were doing through the month.”
“Active Wellbeing helped me and my colleagues have some friendly competition and get active together.”
“Active Wellbeing was an exciting way to fit more movement in and around my work and home life.”
“Active Wellbeing was a great way to get your team working better together whilst improving your mind, body and spirits!”