Wellbeing course for council workers

Live Active Leisure’s Wellbeing team has launched a 12-week wellbeing programme for PKC employees with the aim of encouraging better physical and mental health while working from home.

The programme, which has been created in partnership with the organisational development team at Perth & Kinross Council, evolved from an existing partnership that saw LAL deliver in-person sessions at Pullar House.

The new, updated programme will provide the opportunity for staff to login weekly for hour-long, virtual classes including core strength and stability, yoga and stretching, body conditioning and nutrition and health.

Mhairi Watson, organisational development co-ordinator for PKC, said:“Quite apart from the practical challenges faced by many of our people – most of our homes were not designed to be long-term workplaces – there is also the growing issues around the emotional impact of working remotely, away from the camaraderie of your fellow workmates.

“In October we launched the Step Challenge which was really well received and this led us to look into increasing opportunities for teams to stay active and well together.”

The pilot programme will run for 12 weeks, with instructor-led sessions taking place each Monday as a‘live’ event.

Rhona Pollock, team leader of planning and policy, was one of the PKC employees who joined in the first session.

She said:“I really enjoyed the session. It was great to have a break in the middle of the day to stretch out and move.

“I think having a booked session in the diary means I’m much more likely to engage - recorded videos are fine but there is no interaction and no-one to ask questions of if you don’t understand.”