Whilst the huge increase in remote working as a result of the pandemic has been a blessing for many, employers are recognising that maintaining a sense of connection in a hybrid world of work can be tricky. It’s been particularly tough for new starters.
To help employers bring their teams together around wellbeing, Make A Difference and MAD World are collaborating with Minds@Work and Charity Challenge to bring you the 2022 Minds in the Wild Scottish Highlands Challenge.
Claire Farrow, Global Head of Content and Editor, Make A Difference Media & Events said:
I’m really looking forward to gathering a group of like-minded people from our wonderful Make A Difference community for this charity challenge. We’ll be focussing on our mental and physical wellbeing, taking on a tough three day trekking challenge in the Scottish Highlands, whilst also helping others by supporting mental wellbeing charity Minds@Work.
The Scottish Highlands Challenge will take place from 5-9 September 2022 and will include wellbeing mentoring from the inimitable Geoff McDonald. As well as welcoming individuals, Charity Challenge encourages groups of 5-10 people from the same organisation to sign up.
If you’d like to find out more about the challenge, CLICK HERE.
If you would like to discuss your company’s involvement in the challenge or getting a team together, please complete this short enquiry form and someone will get straight back to you.
All funds raised will go to Minds@Work, a registered charity working to eradicate the stigma of mental illness and create a healthier working world.
5 good reasons to join the Minds in the Wild Charity Challenge
1. It’s good for your mental wellbeing: Giving, through fundraising, stimulates the body’s production of feel-good neurochemicals that boost our mood. Small repeated boosts produce the most benefit. Giving, by its very nature, also turns our attention away from ourselves and towards the outside world. This is also good for our mental health. Having a goal to work towards and feeling part of a community can also boost mental wellbeing.
2. It’s good for your physical wellbeing: The Scottish Highlands Challenge will involve three days of trekking in the mountains and glens of the Scottish Highlands. According to Charity Challenges’ Simon Albert, anyone with a relative level of fitness who puts in a bit of extra training should find it manageable. People who sign up for the challenges often also seize the opportunity to step up their physical fitness.
3. It’s great to raise money for a good cause: All who sign up for the trek will have a goal of raising £500.00 for the charity Minds@Work.
4. It’s good for team building: As well as welcoming individuals, Charity Challenge encourages multiple people from the same organisation to sign up. Completing a challenge together is a great way to create lasting bonds that build teams and help to overcome disconnection.
5. It’s good for your workplace wellbeing strategy: Trekkers will have the opportunity to share ideas and experiences both with the workplace wellbeing mentors on the trek and with other trekkers. The aim is that they will head home feeling empowered and with the insights they need to make a real difference to workplace culture, mental health and wellbeing in their workplaces.
Having a date firmly etched into your diary will give you numerous wellbeing goals to aim for, with a specific timeframe in mind. Committing to a date will inspire you to work out an action plan to get fit for your challenge, while also laying down fundraising goals in the process.
Still need convincing? Check out this video:
Corporate case study
Phil Soper is CEO of Canada based firm Brookfield Real Estate Services, which has undertaken three Charity Challenges to raise funds for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. 2019 saw a group of 120, including Phil, trekking in the Sahara Desert.
Phil’s description of the challenge conjures up images of a harsh landscape, huddling together under a lone acacia tree to shade from the blistering heat and gazing, overawed at the purity of the night sky.
The challenge is not only physically and mentally rewarding for the trekkers. Phil says: “The ability of the challenges to touch people beyond the 120 who trekked is amazing. A few walk but many, including family, friends and wider communities, get involved in the fundraising.”
At a time when community and connection are more important than ever, this is a big plus. For Phil, the charity challenges have also become an important tool for promoting a positive workplace culture.
If you’d like to find out more about the challenge CLICK HERE.
If you would like to discuss your company’s involvement in the challenge or getting a team together, please complete this short enquiry form and someone will get straight back to you.
All funds raised will go to Minds@Work, a registered charity working to eradicate the stigma of mental illness and create a healthier working world.