The top teams in this year’s Walking Challenge have achieved over 1,000,000 steps so far. This is an incredible effort by all teams as we enter the last week of the Challenge.
Team Sole Sisters is currently one of the top teams and we spoke to team captain, Tara Harvey to gain insight into how her team is achieving their step goals and keeping motivated.
Team Sole Sisters, which includes some of our colleagues from Health Information Services at Casey Hospital, attributes most of their steps to creating new healthy habits and staying connected with one another.
Tara shared how her team have scheduled walks into their day to reach their step goals and encourage each other to be active every day. During the Challenge the team have organised team walks before work, during lunch breaks and after hours in their local area.
Understanding the importance of maintaining team spirit, one team member made team t-shirts that the team have been wearing when they walk outside of work, allowing the team to remain united even when they are apart!
When asked how the team remains motivated when they aren’t walking, Tara expressed the importance of staying connected and supporting each other to prioritise their health and wellbeing every day.
“We stay connected in our group chat, posting daily selfies, results, motivating videos and funny memes. It creates a strong team morale, a reminder that we are in this together and helps to encourage each other to be active every day!”
This year, Health Information Services, from Dandenong, Kingston and Casey, have four teams participating in the Challenge, an incredible effort and an increase from only one team participating in 2021.
Participating last year, Tara shared how her team was able to encourage more of her colleagues to join and support the Challenge after they saw how enjoyable and beneficial last year’s Challenge was for her team.
Hearing fellow colleagues reach their goals, attempt something new and step out of their comfort zone has been a rewarding experience for the team.
“Our four teams have encouraged each other and engaged in some friendly competition. At the beginning of the Challenge, we made Healthy Hampers for each site, for both walkers and supporters to enjoy, and we regularly email the walkers to motivate and encourage them with every step.”
Well done to Team Sole Sisters and to all Health Information Services teams for your encouragement and support throughout the Challenge!
Be inspired and win great prizes
All teams participating in the Challenge have done an amazing job so far, but there is still one week to go and many great prizes on offer.
You could win an air fryer or a slow cooker! To go in the draw to win, submit photos you’ve taken during the Walking Challenge and a short story about how the Challenge has helped your wellbeing. Send your submission to Gaynor Henderson, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, by Friday 8 April.
For all our employees there are several ongoing initiatives and resources available to help you prioritise your health and wellbeing every day.
This initiative is supported by the Victorian Government’s Department of Health Be Well Be Safe Program, providing increased health and wellbeing support for healthcare workers during COVID-19. For further details and to stay informed about the latest initiatives, visit the Be Well Be Safe Program webpage.
Approved by Michael Holman.