With 2012 just around the corner, we have a fantastic opportunity to use the inspiration of 
the Olympic and Paralympic Games to improve the health of all civil servants by boosting
levels of physical activity.
What are the benefits?
Sport and wider physical activity bring many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, certain types of cancer and diabetes. Mental health benefits can be immediate, including improved well-being and social engagement. As well as the benefits for individuals, this means a more resilient workforce, reduced sickness absence and greater productivity.
How does the Challenge work?
Departments and agencies are invited to battle it out by demonstrating how they have used the London Games to encourage all of their staff to 'get physical'. Evidence tells us that the least active have the most to gain and that activity should be fun, but the 'how' is down to the organisation, and you can be as creative and innovative as you wish. The Challenge will run until the end of September 2012, but we hope that a new culture of activity and ongoing support will help us all to get active and stay active.
How can CSSC help?
We have volunteered our wide ranging CSSC network to support and promote the Challenge. Encourage your colleagues to take part in a CSSC event or take advantage of the subsidies we offer and start getting yourself and work colleagues active today. Have a look at what our Tyne Wear and Northumberland Area has already organised. Civil Service Fun Sports Day Flyer. Maybe you could do something similar?
You can also draw upon a range of existing initiatives to help meet the Challenge, such as the Cycle to Work scheme, England Athletics, Run England Run at Work and Sport England's own Gold Challenge and England Athletics, which encourages adults to try out a range of sports and raise money for charity at the same time.
How will the Challenge be judged?
It is up to organisations to demonstrate the progress they have made. Outstanding achievements will be 'named and acclaimed' and winners of the Challenge could be recognised in the 2012 Civil Service Awards. The key measure of success will be the proportion of staff meeting the Chief Medical Officer's new Physical Activity Guidelines by September next year.
What next?
Find out if your Department has signed up to the Civil Service Activity Challenge and, if not, try to encourage it to do so!
Email: CivilServiceChallenge@dh.gsi.gov.uk to sign up to the Challenge or to receive further information. You can also get further information here.
For more information about how CSSC is supporting the Challenge, or to share your ideas, experiences and results, please contact Thomas Thompsett at CSSC at: thomas.thompsett@cssc.co.uk or call 01494 888 434.
So, let's try to get the whole of the civil service to step up to the Challenge and lead the way to a healthier workforce!
