The Steps to Health Challenge 2023 will take place this year from May 8th for 5 weeks until June 11th. Registration opens on 13th March 2023 at www.hse.ie/stepschallenge
Annual feedback from participants consistently highlights the positive impact of Steps to Health on staff physical and mental wellbeing increasing workplace morale and physical activity levels.
The planning and execution of Steps to Health 2023 will be a combined national and local delivery model following consultation with the Heads of Service, Health and Wellbeing and Health Promotion and Improvement Managers. Promotion, engagement and communications with team co-ordinators and participants will be led locally.
What is the Steps Challenge?
The steps challenge is a five week walking challenge that supports health care staff to walk more. The Challenge is a workplace initiative open to HSE, Tusla, Department of Health, Safefood and others working in related health service organisations. Staff can participate in teams of 2 to 10 people. It encourages staff to increase their daily steps while raising awareness of the physical and mental health benefits, of walking.
Steps can be accumulated in many ways. Take the stairs instead of the lift. Walk during your break and after work. Most of us walk between 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day. We challenge you to make up the extra steps so that you reach the goal of 10,000 steps a day. It might take longer for those who are inactive at present. You can break up the steps into ten minute walks at a time and still get the health benefits.
The main objectives of the challenge are to:
- Encourage participants to form teams, nominate a team coordinator, register their team and complete the 5-week challenge by 19th April 2023.
- Encourage all participants to increase their daily steps count during the five week challenge, particularly those starting from a low or sedentary baseline.
- Create a sense of camaraderie between staff members as they carry out the challenge.
- Provide information via social media and other channels on the Five Ways to Wellbeing including the benefits of physical activity
Follow us during the challenge on Twitter @hsesteps using #HSEstepschallenge
