Colin's Staff Wellbeing Walks
Bio about who you are and what you do for work
I’m a Commissioner in the Community Resilience team in CYPE Commissioning, overseeing contracts for the provision of services to Kent’s children and young people, and I am also a co-chair of an internal staff group within KCC, the Mental Health Support Network (MHSN).
What is a wellbeing walk?
A wellbeing walk is an opportunity to get outside in the fresh air and help to clear your mind. It’s a chance to take in some nature, to notice more about your surroundings, to have a general chat if accompanied by a friend, family member or colleague, and to increase positive feelings.
What inspired you to run wellbeing walks for colleagues?
‘Walk & Talks’ are a popular method of bringing people together to get away from your desk and to meet and converse with people that you wouldn’t normally see in your day-to-day routine. As part of Time to Talk Day, a mental health awareness day, I arranged a lunchtime Walk & Talk from KCC’s offices in Maidstone in February 2025. Colleagues from various teams joined the walk and we took a leisurely stroll away from the town centre through parts of the Maidstone River Park. During the walk we had conversations about the local area, the benefits of being in nature, the history of some of the town, and just life in general. Following positive feedback from that initial walk we organised more walks linked to mental health awareness days.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of leading these walks?
I like to feel that the walks have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, as they provide colleagues with some time to get away from their desks and enables them to meet and talk with other people in relaxing, natural surroundings. It is too easy to stay sat in front of a computer screen, and the health benefits of getting up and out are well documented. At the end of each walk you can see that people are visibly refreshed and feeling positive, and the biggest reward for me is for those people to want to come back for another walk, to encourage other colleagues to join in or to organise a walk of their own.
What are the key benefits you see from actively walking?
There are numerous health benefits from actively walking, for both physical and mental health. Walking is a great way to maintain a healthy heart, it helps to strengthen bones and joints, promotes weight loss, and aids in the release of endorphins which help to reduce stress and anxiety. Active walks are a healthy social activity, and connecting with others can help to prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.
What is your favourite walking route?
I have a number of ‘favourite’ walks, depending on where I am within Kent at the time! We are extremely fortunate to have a variety of walks available in the county as we are blessed with beautiful countryside, historic towns and villages and spectacular coastal walks. If I had to pick one it would probably be the walk I do most often, along the River Medway from the Fant area of Maidstone into town then out the other side up to Allington Lock, often with a loop around Whatman Park.