Staff walking challenge winners announced! | News from Oakwood Court

Since September Sussex Housing & Care staff have taken part in a 12 week virtual walking challenge from Land’s End to the boarder of Scotland and the winners have been announced!

‘Charlie’s Angels’, a team from Oakwood Court care home in Haywards Heath have scooped the winning title with a massive step count of 1,220,747.

32 staff and three Board Members took part in the challenge, with teams across our care homes and support services. On average each team achieved over 1 million steps and have boosted their exercise levels and wellbeing.

"It's done me the world of good"

Yvonne, works as a Kitchen Assistant at Oakwood Court, she said: “It feels great to be part of the winning team, it makes me feel good as I’ve achieved something! The whole challenge encouraged me to get out there and walk a bit more. When it all started I was on holiday in Devon and made the effort to do more walking. I also enjoyed walking my son’s dog more often. I took the stairs and not the lift, to get my steps in. It’s given me motivation to do more exercise, especially when I do it on my own, I’m making the effort and it’s done me the world of good!

“The winners each got a certificate, medal and a £20 amazon voucher and I was very touched by this.”

Lisa Williams, Training Co-ordinator at Sussex Housing & Care organised the challenge: “Following our success achieving a Silver Award for Wellbeing in January, we were keen to create a team activity to bring colleagues together and focus on improving wellbeing and mental health. The benefits of exercising and being outdoors are huge, and this challenge was inclusive for everyone as we converted time spent being active into steps – for example, gardening or swimming.

"I personally enjoyed seeing the changes colleagues made for example walking to a hospital appointment, dancing at a party, and enrolling on a 12 week running programme. Congratulations to everyone who took part!”

Here are the team from Saxonwood care home in Battle:

If you're interested in joining our friendly team in our care homes, housing or support services please click here to visit our careers page.