The Active Practices Charter is an initiative by The Royal College of GPs and Sport England to inspire GP practices to commit to increasing activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in both staff and patients.

Lincolnshire surgery, Church Walk in Metheringham has recently signed up to the charter, committing to making positive changes in their surgery to boost staff and patient wellbeing. We spoke to the surgery to find out what they have been doing to promote physical activity amongst staff and patients, and about the process of signing up.

"Church Walk surgery were granted 'Active Practice Status' on 28th February 2024. As a nursing team we attended a Nursing Society event with the Lincolnshire Training hub at the beginning of February. It was such an interesting evening on how to get both patients and staff moving more, and inspired us to sign up for the Active Practice Charter. As a surgery we were already a very active team and having completed a Virtual Lands End to John o' Groates and back again challenge last year along with other activities planned this year we thought we could be in with a chance of achieving this status already.

"The process was very straightforward to apply for, as we were already achieving a lot and needed to make minimal changes required thus making it easy to complete."

The ways the practice are supporting patients and staff to be more active have included:

• Bike rack installed at the surgery.
• Displays in reception/waiting area on the benefits of physical activity for patients to access.
• Information links on social media to activity groups in the local area.
• 10% off vouchers with local gym collaboration
• Staff are completing the Spires and Steeples Walking Challenge.
• Already completed other challenges as above.
• We walk to call patients from waiting room.
• Some staff have fitness trackers.
• Water bottles that are personalised for every staff member to encourage hydration.
• Swimming pools and gyms in local area have been contacted too to see if they could help/support with any other offers.
• We are considering getting some under desk cycles for staff as we don't have standing desks.

Watch the video to find out more about the Active Practice Charter:

Sign up to the Active Practice Charter

Follow the link to sign up your GP practice to the Active Practice Charter.