Walking Workplaces: Promoting a Healthier, Happier and Greener Scotland through Active Workplaces

Introducing Paths for All’s Walking Workplaces programme, an innovative programme designed to boost physical activity in Scottish workplaces by encouraging employees to walk more throughout their day. This initiative is funded by the Scottish Government’s People and Place fund. Managed locally by SPT, Nestrans, SWestrans and ZetTrans, participation is completely free for Scottish workplaces.  

Why walking? 

Walking isn’t just a form of physical exercise; it’s a powerful tool for improving mental and emotional health as well. Numerous studies have shown that employees who are active during their workday are more productive, experience reduced stress levels and take fewer sick days. In addition, walking helps build a stronger workplace culture by promoting health and wellness among teams. 

For businesses, encouraging walking can be a game changer. Employees who walk more are not only happier and healthier, but also contribute to reducing road congestion and lowering emissions, improving the air quality in our communities. It’s a win-win for both the workplaces and the planet. 

How does this programme work? 

The programme will be implemented through peer encouragement and support, facilitated by regional Development Officers. These officers will promote and support the programme in their areas, working to change behaviours and increase walking.  

The activities include, but are not limited to: 

• Step Count Challenge : Friendly competition encouraging employees to track their steps and see which team can achieve the greatest number of steps in a time.  

• Walking Champions: Employees who take on the role of promoting walking in their workplaces, motivating others to get involved.  

• Walk at Work Award: The Walk at Work Award is an accreditation scheme for Scottish employers, recognising organisations that support staff to be active in and around the working day. 

• Group Walks: Organised group walks to boost team bonding and promote regular activity.  

Who can participate? 

Currently, the Walking Workplaces program is available to medium (50+ employees) to large workplaces in four key regions of Scotland, thanks to the funding from Scottish Government’s People and Place fund. These regions include:  

1. Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: Through support from Nestrans (North East of Scotland Transport Partnership).

2. The Strathclyde area of Western Scotland: This large region is supported by SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) and includes the following council areas; East Dunbartonshire, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and the Helensburgh and Lomond area of Argyll and Bute. 

3. Dumfries and Galloway: This region is supported by SWestrans (South West of Scotland Transport Partnership) 

4. Shetland: This region is supported by ZetTrans Shetland's Transport Partnership, and it covers the Shetland Islands.  

If your workplace is in any of these areas, you are eligible to participate in the walking workplaces programme. Development Officers will provide personalised support, helping you assess workplace needs and create a tailored action plan to promote walking for leisure and active travel.  

Timeline and next steps 

We are currently in the process of confirming participating workplaces, with programme delivery scheduled from October to February 2025. Once the participating workplaces have been identified, the first step will be conducting a workplace assessment to set baselines and identify barriers. Based on these findings, a tailored work programme will be designed and delivered.  

Get involved  

If you’re interested in having your workplace participate in the Walking Workplaces programme or if you’d like more information, feel free to contact us. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to improve employee health, boost productivity, and contribute to a greener Scotland. You can reach us at workplaces@pathsforall.org.uk.