King's Mill Hospital staff get their running shoes on to promote health and wellbeing

The free organised park run, which took in Brierley Forest, Huthwaite, saw staff from Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust participating, all in the name of the trust’s vision and strategic objectives, which include promoting and supporting health and wellbeing.

David Selwyn, Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ medical director and the director of the centre for perioperative care for the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “Physical activity is one of the great ways to support the health and wellbeing of our staff and patients.

“By taking over the park run, we hoped to encourage staff and members of the public to incorporate more exercise into their lifestyles. Patients that regularly take part in physical activity can see benefits such as a quicker recovery period after having an operation and an improvement to their mental health and mood.”

Danielle Woods, perioperative clinical educator in theatre recovery at Sherwood Forest Hospitals regularly takes part in park runs.

She said: “Park running is a great way to keep fit or introduce a bit more exercise into your life. I have been going with my family for the last two years and it has really helped boost my self-esteem and fitness levels.

“What I love most about park run is that it doesn’t matter whether you run, jog, walk or volunteer. It’s all about participation and there is a role for everyone. Attending park runs as a family or with friends is a great way to socialise, keep fit and really feel part of the community.”