At MOVE charity we know how much movement matters for us all. It matters for us in promoting and supporting physical activity for those living with and beyond cancer; and it matters to us everyday as individuals and as a team.
We created our Movement Manifesto to embed movement into how we work as an organisation and to inspire others to do the same. Because we believe that organisations which move together perform better together, support their people more fully, and create the conditions where everyone, including those living with and beyond cancer, can thrive.
Explore our Movement Manifesto to find out more, and we’d love you to join our “movement” to help us all to develop active workplaces that can support more people impacted by cancer.
Our Commitment:
As a charity focused on the power of movement to support our mental and physical health, we practice what we preach. Movement isn't a wellness add-on at MOVE Against Cancer, it's embedded in how we work. As a remote-based organisation with staff, volunteers and supporters throughout the UK, we're intentional about building movement into our everyday working culture. We move to feel better, not to earn rest, avoid guilt or compete with others.
Every form of movement counts and everyone's relationship with movement is different and therefore equally valid. It’s not about adopting all of the ideas here: it’s about finding the options that you can weave into your working day and create simple, sustainable habits.
Moving your way is at the heart of everything we do. Research over decades has shown that people can perform better and feel better when movement is embedded throughout their day.
You can watch this video of the core principles of the Movement Manifesto here:
We believe that those that move together improve together
Movement Manifesto
Why movement at work matters
This isn’t just about wellbeing – it’s about performance and culture. The quality of our thinking, our creativity and our collaboration all depend on our bodies being active. Research consistently shows that people who move during the working day are more productive, creative and engaged. Systematic reviews and resources such as the ‘Physical activity in the workplace’ Public Health guidance, to the evidence based practice available through the Active Employee Toolkit through Sport England have guided us to develop our approach. Inspired by the growing evidence such as:
The Evidence
Stanford University (2014)
found that walking boosts creative thinking by an average of 60%, with the effect persisting even after sitting back down.
The Workplace Options study (2016)
showed that employees who exercised during work hours took 27% fewer sick days and reported significantly higher energy levels and focus throughout the day.
Journal of Environmental Pscyhology
A 2021 study in Finland (Journal of Environmental Psychology), examining how lunch-hour activities help workers rebound from job stress, suggests a short walk in nature can boost performance.
Examples from our 10 Movement Strategies –
1. WALKING MEETINGS ARE FOR EVERY DAY
What we do: All one-to-one meetings can by default be done walking. Video-off phone calls while we walk from home – around the neighbourhood, in the garden or even just around the house. Can’t do a full walking meeting? Walk for the first 10-15 minutes then back to the desk. When we meet as a team we always find time to move together as a team.
Impact: Better conversations, creative problem-solving and stronger relationships – creating a sense of moving more together even when apart.
2. STANDING DESKS AVAILABLE
What we do: Standing desk options can be accessed by all team members. They help to support people to be less sedentary when working from home.
Optional: Start core meetings with 5 minutes of movement or try standing/moving during the general catch-up. Start with 30-second grounding thoughts eg ‘Feel your feet, notice your breath’ etc.
Impact: Shorter meetings (15-20 min max), sharper focus, more energy.
3. MOVEMENT BREAKS BUILT IN
What we do: Encourage 5-minute movement breaks between meetings – not scrolling on your phone, actually moving.
Get creative at home: 20 stair climbs throughout the day, squats while the kettle boils, walking around the garden while lunch cooks, stretching between emails or setting a lunchtime task that involves a walk (e.g. posting a letter).
Impact: Critical for preventing burnout or isolation in remote working.
We believe that those that move together improve together.
Healthier people. More active organisations. Higher performing teams.
Inspired to get your workplace moving and support people impacted by cancer?
Take small, simple steps to start moving and improving in the workplace today.
- Why not adopt some of our suggestions within your organisation and let us know how you get on?
- Share our Movement Manifesto with friends, family and colleagues. Talk about what movement at work means to you.
- Build your own Movement Manifesto – we can help you get started. Just get in touch.
We’d love to hear from you and help support people impacted by cancer to get moving more together.
Have you taken on board any of these ideas, implemented your own guidelines or have any feedback? Please let us know via info@movecharity.org