NNUH launches 3Fs fitness campaign
On the back of the recent success of Active Norfolk’s workplace challenge, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) is setting up its own health and wellbeing campaign called the 3Fs Challenge (Fun, Fitness and Friendship).
The aim is for staff to increase and record their level of physical activity which is known to improve how we feel and make a positive impact on wellbeing at work.
The 3Fs Challenge will take place from the beginning of April until the end of August with different activities for employees to take part in every month. Employees will be able to have a free NHS health check in April and at the end of the challenge to see if their health has improved by taking part in more physical activity. All staff need to do is log onto the workplace challenge website www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/activenorfolk/login, complete the survey and log their activity. Activities and events will be taking place from April to August and will be suitable for a range of fitness levels, including:
– A new walking club which will meet at various locations around the county at weekends, once a month
– The NNUH weekly running club
– Lunchtime walks
– A free 5km fun run
– The NNUH weekly choir
– A stairs not lift challenge
– Taster sessions at the NNUH and Cromer Hospital summer fetes
– A sponsored bike ride
During the Active Norfolk Workplace Challenge over 300 members of staff from across the NNUH took part and the NNUH travelled the most miles and saved the most CO2 across all the organisations taking place in the Workplace Challenge, not just in Norfolk, but nationwide.
Daphne Skinner, Information and Support Assistant at the Big C centre at NNUH, joined the running club in June 2011 after starting to lose weight at a slimming club. She has now lost 3 stone 10 pounds and has become a regular member of the running club.
She said: “It’s great to be part of the running club because being in a group gives you that extra motivation to do something physical instead of sitting in front of the TV. I enjoy being part of the running club because it’s relaxed and we all have fun no matter what our capabilities and we all support each other.
“I’d encourage any member of staff who wants to get fit, learn a new sport or lose a bit of weight, to sign up or try some of the other activities on offer during the 3Fs campaign. I’d never have thought I could run 5k a few years ago – you don’t know what you’re capable of until you try!”
Director of Human Resources, Stephen Taylor, said: “We are always trying to look at new ways to help motivate our staff at work. Physical challenges can bring fun and fitness to the workplace and it can have a major effect on how people feel at work. So whether it’s a half an hour walk at lunch or a sponsored bike ride, any extra activity will make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of our staff.”