Marsha Kuye MBE – CSSC AW Ambassador

Recently awarded civil servant tackles CSSC’s nudge to budge to get moving this February.

Marsha Kuye MBE, Head of Programme and Governance in Infected Blood Compensation Authority Programme at the Cabinet Office, has accepted the nudge to budge by getting involved in this year’s Active Wellbeing campaign alongside fellow civil servants and public sector workers.

Five years ago, Marsha’s idea of relieving stress would be to do more things outside of work but her mindset has shifted to prioritise having a work-life balance and focusing on family and travelling more.

“I spend a lot of time at home in front of my laptop working, so I feel like Active Wellbeing is a good opportunity for me to do something that’s for me and releasing some of the stress and pressure from work.

“I’m really bad at going to the gym, I think I went once in a whole year so I’m trying to explore different ways to get my body moving.”

As part of this year’s campaign, Marsha will be taking on more advanced Cuban salsa lessons.

“I’ve always had a passion for salsa and after visiting Cuba a couple of years ago, I spent most of my time doing salsa lessons everyday. I really enjoy it and I’m looking forward to getting back into it – it keeps me fit and gives me a reason to leave the house.”

Not only is Marsha accepting the nudge to budge but her team members will be taking on the challenge with her.

“We work in quite a high-pressure environment, the last three months in particular have been quite difficult for our team, so I’m constantly thinking of ways to get them away from their desk for a while.”

“We often speak about actively doing more for each other’s wellbeing and finding the balance outside of work, so Active Wellbeing is a great place for us to start.”

After entering the civil service as a temporary worker over 20 years ago, Marsha’s work ethic and drive to make a difference has seen her become key figure in the service and recently she was awarded an MBE in the King’s New Years Honours List on 31 December 2024 for services to Border Readiness.

“After being made permanent, I climbed the ranks by planning my career and where I wanted to go next. My focus has always been roles in the civil service that made a difference but also play to my strengths. I have a very high level of resilience, so I like areas that are challenging and will stretch me.”

Active Wellbeing is the UK’s largest physical activity campaign which aims to inspire members of the civil service and public sector to move more and get active in a bid to improve their overall wellbeing.
For the second year in a row, participants will take part in the Around-the-World challenge where teams will work together to go around the world as quickly as possible, with every activity counting towards their team’s total.

You can sign up here and create or join a team before 31 January.