You may be thinking why in my capacity as an OH professional am I writing to tell you; a business about parkrun. The reason is because parkrun has essential elements to improve mental & physical health; being outside, volunteering and participating in a community activity. This gives people a sense of identity and belonging. It reduces the stigma associated with mental ill health. It can be added into your tool bag of things to improve employees’ health and wellbeing.
I am part of a team of 8 core people who have just launched a new parkrun; Watermeadows http://www.parkrun.org.uk/watermeadows/. It took 2 years to get to the first event. I am totally passionate about parkrun and promote it where appropriate during my occupational health consultations.
parkrun (the lack of capital letter is deliberate) is a global community initiative that to builds an inclusive community using physical activity as the obvious action but also subtle actions such as valuing and celebrating each and every person who connects with parkrun. The activity is a free weekly timed 5km walk or run; whichever suits you. There is no single winner, and no-one is last. There are completers & achievers. There is a team of volunteers; not all the same people, each week who take on the different roles that are required to manage and run the event. Roles such as run director, time keepers, bar code scanners, funnel managers, marshals all need to be filled. The volunteers are of equal importance as those who walk or run. At the end of each event all are encouraged to meet for coffee and chat in a local café; so new friendships are made, experiences shared, and emotions respected.
The personal stories that form the fabric and beauty of parkrun are humbling. They demonstrate courage, determination, fear fighting, finding oneself, finding comrades and life transformations. parkrun gives participants a sense of acceptance without the need to prove anything. Lives are totally rejuvenated. Age is no barrier, parkrun regularly has participants aged 80+. At the inaugural of my parkrun we were honoured to have a gentleman aged between 79-84 who completed his 400th parkrun.
There is a UK wide initiative for GPs to prescribe outdoor physical activity instead of medication. parkrun could be talked about as part of workplace mental health awareness initiatives. If someone experiences for example loneliness or social isolation, parkrun could be a vehicle to resolve these mental health sapping circumstances. You as a business may want to consider having parkrun as part of your mental health resources. You could find out where your local parkrun is and go there one Saturday, just to watch or even take part volunteering, walking or running.
If you want to know more then click the link below:
Anna Harrington
Occupational Health Advisor
