Businesses asked to back One Million Steps – and transform the health of their employees

A groundbreaking national challenge will help businesses encourage their staff to get fitter, more active, and healthier and boost a company’s brand by supporting social good causes close to their heart

One Million Steps, which launched on 3rd December 2018, also hopes to raise ￡100 million pounds for UK charities of all sizes in four years.

Participants walk an average of 10,000 steps a day for 100 days - one million steps or 500 miles. Research shows the average Briton walks only 3000 to 4000 steps a day with one poll showing, for many, it could be as low as 2000 steps.

The innovative mass challenge is the first Welsh startup to win a place at Google Launchpad London, winning awards from UnLtd, the School for Social Entrepreneurs, the Fairwood Trust, and invited to Natwest Accelerator and Seedbed Incubator.

Cardiff based Founder, Ranjit Ghoshal, came up with the idea when he injured his knee training for a charity challenge. Coming from the non-profit sector, he realised the need for a platform based on social innovation principles and health campaigns that ensured that the product was accessible, acceptable, affordable, and, critically for participants and donors, accountable.

Ranjit (pictured left) said: “We know the benefits of an active life. 63% of UK adults are now overweight. Diabetes levels are rising and we are increasingly aware of how stress affects mental health. A recent study by XpertHR found that employees take an average of 2.8% of their working days off sick.

“Walking has been shown to be extremely effective for both physical and mental well-being.

 “My mission was a mass challenge event that businesses and charities of all sizes could promote to staff and supporters, costs less than travelling and taking part in a big event like a marathon and allows charities to scale their fundraising efforts easily.

“Instead of having to sign up for an overseas trek or race, and take the time out to train and complete, you fit your million steps into your existing lifestyle.

“You can choose to walk up mountains, race around the local park, dance the tango, or take aerobics classes. Do it solo, with friends, or team up with work buddies but importantly, it had to be automated so participants could focus on their challenge rather than constantly updating progress.”

Encouraging staff to take part in employee health and wellness schemes has obvious benefits to the business. However it can be tricky. So, giving them an extra reason to take part (helping a charity) often gives them the nudge they need to get active and helps businesses fulfill their corporate social responsibilities.

Ranjit said: “Many business owners want healthier staff. Encouraging staff to support a charity and walk a Million Steps provides greater motivation and can help businesses engage with local community projects.

“Company branded landing pages, integrated with a charity the business supports, mean staff have just one place to visit, sign up, and set up fundraising profiles. With content on mindfulness practice, yoga and important everyday exercises, the benefits could be huge for staff well-being.” 

Everyone who takes part gets a Million Steps pedometer and app which records steps, distance, and, importantly, active minutes. Extra content, including mindfulness practice and yoga and strengthening exercises, is provided to hit NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/?fbclid=IwAR2z8Y9iHWLVEhhoNa7xzgJmE6ZuYdfnwZzPbPvYhK2JlSwRHykMp1lwWbg) and the US Centres for Disease Control guidelines for physical activity. (https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm)

Integrated fundraising pages show a participant’s challenge progress, which provides accountability so friends, family, and colleagues can cheer participants on and donate to their chosen charity.

How it helps charities

The challenge is an ideal tool for charities to scale their fundraising activities both locally and nationally.

Ranjit said: “Smaller charities struggle to organise local events and often the passion is not translated into a return on investment from limited resources. Big overseas events are great but fundraising levels are high and the cost of golden tickets in major athletic events are often beyond the reach of many charities. These factors helped us model the Million Steps challenge to ensure as many barriers were overcome and health and fundraising was the big goal.

“Participants may be doing the challenge locally but can compete with friends anywhere in the country encouraging a viral sign up as friends and colleagues team up.

“It will also encourage people who worry about their fitness levels to get involved, get fitter, make a social good difference, and then move on to much tougher challenges.”

The Million Steps platform streamlines event management by providing integrated fundraising pages, Gift Aid collection, charity landing pages and participant sign-up, and the ability to embed explainers or videos in customisable pages with easy-to-use templates.

Q&A

Q: When does the challenge begin?

The Million Steps Challenge begins in 15th July 2019.

Registration for businesses and charities opened on December 3rd to allow for onboarding.

National Launch to the public is 1st January 2019.

This gives One Million Steps the time to order and deliver registration packs and pedometers.

Q: How is One Million Steps funded?

A: Participants pay an entry fee (Launch price ￡25, Early Bird ￡30, RRP ￡35) to take part which includes the pedometer, app and content. Ranjit, the founder, was determined that the challenge met the affordability criteria for health campaigns, was cheaper than a major challenge like a marathon and that the 100 day journey included content to meet physical activity guidelines.

Businesses and Charities sign up at ￡350 +VAT for 10 places which allows even the smallest community groups and SMEs to take part with a good ROI.

One Million Steps also takes a small percentage of donations to help fund the pedometers, app, content, landing pages and running of the platform but takes no part of the Gift Aid which is all passed on to the charities.

Q: What are the top health benefits of completing 10,000 steps a day?

·        A stronger heart – helping to prevent cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes

·        Helps to achieve or maintain a healthy weight – being overweight is a key risk factor for diseases such as diabetes and cancer

·        Maintains more stable blood sugar levels – helping to reduce the risk of diabetes

·        Helps your brain function better – aerobic exercise has been found to help the brain stave off decline