Walked across the USA – without leaving the office

THE Penwith Community Development Trust has become one of the first companies in Cornwall to gain an award under a scheme aimed at achieving national recognition for the county as the healthiest place in Britain to work.

The Workplace Health Award, launched last year by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, rewards good practice, and the Penzance-based charity achieved a silver standard after staff met a challenge to trek 'across the United States' – without leaving Cornwall.

About 30 employees picked up a free pedometer and spent eight months competing to walk 3,452 miles, the distance from San Francisco to Maine. Following a neck-and-neck race to the finishing line, members of the winning team were each rewarded with a bottle of wine.

PCDT's human resources and central liaison manager Anna Hopkins, who plotted the teams' scores on a giant map, said: "We were pleasantly surprised at the number of staff joining the challenge.

"It provoked a huge amount of friendly rivalry.

"It was good to hear the different ways that staff managed to boost their number of steps – parking the car further from the office, walking to meetings, and going for a lunch time walk."

Chief executive Sue Guard, who, accompanied by her dog Rocky, now goes walking twice daily as a result of the pedometer challenge, said: "I give myself a challenge of at least three miles a day, and I feel much better for it.

"Much to my family's surprise, I go out whatever the weather, having bought some lovely new wellies."

The Healthy Workplace Award also recognised the effort which went into creating the Oasis, a productive courtyard garden at PCDT's offices in Parade Street while aromatherapist Val Johnson offered a free complementary therapy session, with the option of paying for further sessions. Other elements of PCDT's Workplace Health Award campaign include a health insurance scheme, and the installation of photovoltaic panels at the company's offices.

Commitment

The Healthy Workplace silver award was presented to Anna and PCDT's head of strategic development, Dilys Down, by Dame Carol Black, the national director for health and work.

Anna said: "I am delighted that we have received the silver award, which demonstrates PCDT's commitment to improve staff health and well-being in our workplace."