We're here to help you encourage walking in the workplace. It can all seem a bit daunting, so here are a few tips and ideas to get the ball rolling.

You want more? How about signing up to our eBulletin or working more closely with Walking Works as a campaign partner.

Do a travel survey

Do you know how your staff and colleagues get to work? How many people are already walking as part of their journey? How can you involve other colleagues? Get the lowdown before you start to give you a much better idea of what's going on and which is the best approach.

Internal communications

Add information on walking to your intranet, bulletins and staff newsletters. People may not know how easy it is to walk from a different tube station.

A few examples:

• Offer maps that show mainline stations and landmarks within walking distance of your office. You can also include these on your website and in recruitment packs to encourage suppliers, potential new employees and other visitors to walk to your office.
• Start a buddy system for colleagues who live close to each other to walk to and from work together.
• Advertise for groups of colleagues to walk together at lunchtime. This can be a great way to get out of the office at lunch as well as boost team spirit.
• Promote local walking events. Look out for charity fundraising walks – or why not organise a walking event of your own? Walking Works holds a national Walk to Work Week every year; you can even hold one on in your office, whenever you like! Email walkingworks@livingstreets.org.uk for more information.
• Encourage staff to sign up to the Walking Works pledge.

No excuses!

Showers and lockers help put an end to those “I get too hot” or “I have nowhere to put my sweaty trainers” excuses. If you don't have those facilities, perhaps it's time to appeal to your office manager…

Show them the way

People hate getting lost. Help them find their way around by providing them with walking-friendly directions to get to work. For more information, download our guide for web walking directions.

Put these directions on your staff intranet, include them in your induction packs and attach to interview invitation letters, as well as on your external website and as information for visitors. This way everyone can arrive feeling fresh, happy and on time.

Take it to the top

Getting support from senior management is vital if you want to make changes. Maybe your CEO already makes walking part of their journey? If not, there are so many business benefits that it won't take long to convince them walking in the workplace is the way forward.

If you need some help persuading key people in your workplace, we can help. Email walkingworks@livingstreets.org.uk for more information about Walking Works presentations.

Your company's Travel Plan

The government wants all employers to have a Travel Plan. This should help encourage employees to leave the car at home (or at least car-share) and promote cycling, walking and public transport.

Walking Works can help you develop the walking aspect for your organisation's travel plan. Email us on walkingworks@livingstreets.org.uk for more information.

Walking Works for everyone

Walking is one of the most accessible and equal forms of transport. Unlike cycling, organised sport or gyms, people with different levels of ability can take part in walking in some way.

When you're promoting walking to employees, you'll need to think about making it accessible to everyone. Download and take a look at our campaign equality impact assessment.