Welwyn Garden City PCN brings wellness and movement into the workday

Last week, the Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) attended the Welwyn Garden City Primary Care Network’s (PCN) Protected Learning Time. This GP learning afternoon, open to both clinical and non-clinical staff, was specifically designed with a focus on staff wellbeing to tie into the Active Practice Charter. The Active Practice Charter is an initiative designed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to promote movement for both staff and patients within primary care. During this learning afternoon, we discussed two key objectives of the Charter:  

1. Reducing sedentary behaviour of staff 

2. Increasing physical activity of staff 

The PCN used the Active Connections Hub to track activity during the afternoon – HSP delivered a series of exercises that staff can do at their desk, seated or standing, to break up their periods of inactivity and reduce their sedentary behaviour. Tracking this activity on the Active Connections Hub will contribute to points in the current It’s Never Too Late to be Active challenge, part of the Total Active Hub movement programme. The Active Connections Hub is funded specifically for PCN staff across Hertfordshire. This ongoing challenge aims for staff to complete 150 minutes of activity across the week, over a minimum of three days (in line with the national guidelines for physical activity). The challenge lasts four weeks and each week that participants complete the challenge goal, they are entered into a prize draw to win movement-based rewards and prizes.  

Peartree Group Practice celebrated an early win in week two of the challenge, with more prizes and a team reward up for grabs by the challenge’s conclusion in August. So far, 42 staff members across the PCN’s four surgeries have signed up to the hub, reflecting growing enthusiasm for healthier, more active workdays. 

If you’d like to make an impact to your staff and inspire them to keep fit during their sedentary roles, you can find desk-fit exercises created by NASA Headquarters Fitness Centre here. Equally, if you’re a staff member of a PCN across Hertfordshire, do not hesitate to sign up to the FREE Active Connections Hub and get tracking your movement for rewards! You can sign up here.  

Looking ahead, Welwyn Garden City PCN will continue working with HSP to achieve official Active Practice status, embedding physical activity into everyday routines for the long-term benefit of both staff and patients. 

If you'd like your GP surgery to become an accredited Active Practice, please reach out to z.mckeating@herts.ac.uk to find out more.