The Active Wellbeing ‘Around The World Challenge’ is almost upon us! With sign-ups open until 29th January, this is your ‘Nudge to Budge’, so recruit a team, get moving and start clocking up those steps!
Active Wellbeing, the UK’s largest physical activity and wellbeing campaign, aims to remove barriers and inspire members of the civil service and public sector to be more active and improve their overall wellbeing. Designed to ensure everyone can get involved, whether they’re a fitness enthusiast or just starting on their wellbeing and active journey, teams work together to build up the miles to virtually travel the world — remember every activity counts towards your team's total.
Last year, 35,000 civil servants and public sector workers joined the 2025 challenges — we hear from two on why they are encouraging others to get involved.
Sign up now and create or join a team before 29 January.
See ‘Nudge to Budge’ for more details.
Wellbeing goes far beyond the physical. Active Wellbeing Challenge pulls holistic health into focus
Matthew Davies, Deputy Director in Cabinet Office
Matthew Davies, Deputy Director in the Cabinet Office, is part of the Government People Group, and will be rallying his colleagues to once again join in on Active Wellbeing’s Around-the-World challenge, which kicks off in February.
Throughout February, people across the civil service and public sector will be encouraged to sign up, join or create a team online, and set their sights on increasing their physical activity and boosting their overall wellbeing as we travel around the world together.
Matthew, who has worked in the civil service for over 25 years, loved taking part in the challenge in 2025 and believes the benefits stretch further than purely physical. Matthew reflects on the holistic benefits of the CSSC Active Wellbeing Challenge for himself and his colleagues.
“We’re so much better at talking about our mental health and wellbeing now. These days, when someone says ‘wellbeing’, we don’t automatically assume it’s about being fit, we recognise that it is an all-encompassing word and includes your mental and emotional health.
“The challenge has a community feel to it. If you take part, you know you’re a part of a team, but more widely, the online app highlights that this team stretches across the whole of the civil service and public sector throughout the country. There’s an element of team spirit that comes with that, maybe it's friendly competitiveness, or maybe it’s both, but it’s motivating!
“There’s often a misconception that activity-based challenges are about being the fastest or strongest, but Active Wellbeing is truly about just increasing what you do, in whatever way you do it. You don‘t have to be doing something magnificent, just as long as you’re doing something.
“I think that's what’s so good about the Active Wellbeing Challenge - it helps you be more mindful. That’s something which I really took away from the challenges last time. I’m more aware of what I have or haven’t done. For me, it pulled it into focus, and it’s now become second nature to ensure I'm incorporating movement into my day.
“I’m really grateful for CSSC putting on the Active Wellbeing Challenge as it puts mental and physical health in focus, the way it should be. I’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference getting involved and having fun together can make to someone's day, month, and year; so I hope there’s lots of pick up and encourage everyone to have these conversations across the civil service and public sectors.”
You do you in a way that fits you best”: How the Active Wellbeing Challenge is fit for all
Kinga Derrick, Head of Operations at Defence Equipment & Support
Kinga Derrick, Head of Operations at Defence Equipment & Support, is preparing for her third round of the Active Wellbeing Challenge this February. Last year, Kinga and her team pulled on their trainers, lycra, and walking boots and set out to top the ‘Around the World Challenge’ leaderboard.
In 2025, 94% of participants said Active Wellbeing motivated them to be more active and value their wellbeing more - something which was unsurprising to Kinga. She explains how the Challenge impacted her and her team:
“I think one of the best bits about the Active Wellbeing Challenge is how versatile and easily accessible it is for everyone - you can really make it work for you, whatever your biggest motivator or fitness level. Our team was made up of people like me, for whom exercise and movement is part of daily life, as well as people who have never been that interested in it, but it really did give us all the ‘nudge to budge’.
“The Challenge lets you do you in a way that fits you best. I’m super competitive, so for me it was the idea of beating other teams, and my own personal bests. You can see where your team is placing, so I was always striving for first position. We found ourselves checking the leaderboard, and if we were being beaten, we’d all make a concerted effort to get out there and log extra distance.
“For others, it was about reaching a certain location on the ‘Around the World’ map; and for everyone, the chat function on the app meant we were always pushing and supporting each other, which made such a difference.
“I truly believe this kind of thing can change your life for the better. One of my colleagues previously didn’t consider themselves very active, but when we did the Challenge they really committed to it, and have since continued with daily walks, discovering new places and making new friends along the way.
“The Active Wellbeing Challenge has benefited us all in ways beyond just getting fitter. It lets us get to know each other on more of a personal level and build a stronger sense of team which has ultimately led us to deliver better work.
“As Civil Servants, our behaviours, habits and culture reflect that of our Government, and we should be setting an example when it comes to wellbeing by looking after our bodies and mental health. When you’re healthy, you feel good, and this filters into every aspect of your life, including your work life. The Active Wellbeing Challenge is a brilliant way for us in the Civil Service to work collectively towards that goal and be the best we can be for the people we serve.”
Kinga shared some top tips she and her team found helpful to make the most of the Challenge and stay on track:
Use the chat function: “This was key for all of us - it kept us accountable and gave us a place where we could all support each other, but it was also just really fun! The friendly banter kept us all having a laugh and brought us closer as a team.”
Link your smartwatch to the app or remember to upload your data: “You do not want to miss out on a single movement if you’re going to beat the other teams. Whether it’s your weekend house clean, a run or a game of tennis, remember to set an activity or upload it to the website before you forget!"
Every little counts: “Think outside the box! We implemented walking meetings into our day, which helped us reach our goal. Regular walks around the block together can be as impactful as a solo run - be flexible with your ideas and with each other!”
Sign up now and create or join a team before 29 January. See ‘Nudge to Budge’ for more details.’