On Your Feet Britain
April 30
About On Your Feet Britain
On Your Feet Britain takes place on Thursday, 30 April 2026, challenging workplaces across the United Kingdom to break up prolonged sitting and get moving. Organised by Get Britain Standing in collaboration with Active Working, the annual campaign highlights the serious health risks associated with sedentary behaviour and promotes simple, practical changes that office workers and desk-based professionals can make during their working day.
What is On Your Feet Britain?
On Your Feet Britain is an annual workplace wellness campaign that encourages employees and employers to reduce the amount of time spent sitting during the working day. Run by Get Britain Standing, a community interest group focused on combating excessive sedentary behaviour, the campaign provides free resources, toolkits, and activity suggestions to help workplaces participate. The day is designed to be inclusive and accessible — the changes it promotes are small and require no special equipment, just a willingness to stand up, move around, and think differently about how we work.
When is On Your Feet Britain?
On Your Feet Britain takes place on the last Thursday of April each year. In 2026, the date is Thursday, 30 April.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, 30 April |
| 2027 | Thursday, 29 April |
| 2028 | Thursday, 27 April |
| 2029 | Thursday, 26 April |
| 2030 | Thursday, 25 April |
Why On Your Feet Britain Matters
Prolonged sitting has been linked to a range of serious health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and mental health problems. Research suggests that sedentary office workers spend an average of 9 to 10 hours per day sitting — far exceeding what the human body was designed to tolerate. Public Health England has recommended that office workers should aim to stand, move, or walk for at least two hours during the working day, gradually building to four hours.
On Your Feet Britain addresses this by providing a single, focused day of action that workplaces can rally around. The campaign does not require expensive equipment or major changes — it simply asks people to stand up more, take the stairs, hold walking meetings, and break up their sitting time. These small changes, when adopted consistently, can meaningfully reduce the health risks associated with prolonged sedentary behaviour. For more health-focused workplace campaigns, Stress Awareness Month, which runs throughout April, also addresses wellbeing in the working environment.
How to Get Involved in On Your Feet Britain
Here are practical ways to participate:
- Hold standing meetings — Replace at least one seated meeting with a standing one. Standing meetings tend to be shorter and more focused, benefiting both health and productivity.
- Take phone calls on your feet — Whenever a call comes in, stand up to answer it. Pacing while talking also adds steps to your day and can help you think more clearly.
- Walk during lunch — Instead of eating at your desk, take a walk outside during your lunch break. Even a 15-minute walk makes a meaningful difference.
- Use the stairs — Bypass the lift and take the stairs wherever possible. Stair climbing is a simple form of exercise that easily integrates into the working day.
- Set a standing reminder — Use a phone timer or desktop notification to remind you to stand up and move for at least two minutes every 30 minutes of sitting.
- Organise a lunchtime activity — Run a group walk, a stretching session, or a step-count challenge for your team. Competition and camaraderie make movement more enjoyable.
- Register your workplace — Visit the Get Britain Standing website to register your workplace for the campaign and download free resources including posters, email templates, and activity ideas.
History of On Your Feet Britain
On Your Feet Britain was created by Get Britain Standing, a community interest group established to raise awareness about the health dangers of sedentary lifestyles, particularly in the workplace. The campaign operates in collaboration with Active Working, a movement that promotes productive and healthy office environments through reduced sitting time.
The initiative was inspired by growing scientific evidence linking prolonged sitting with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and premature death. Studies from institutions including the British Heart Foundation, the University of Leicester, and Public Health England contributed to a body of research that prompted calls for workplace interventions. On Your Feet Britain emerged as a practical, accessible response — a single day of action that could catalyse lasting changes in workplace culture.
Since its launch, the campaign has grown year on year, with thousands of workplaces across the UK registering to participate. The campaign uses the hashtags #MoveMore and #SitLess to spread its message and encourage participation through social media.
Noteworthy Facts About Sedentary Behaviour
- The average UK office worker spends approximately 9 to 10 hours per day sitting.
- Public Health England recommends that office workers stand, move, or walk for at least two hours during the working day, building to four hours.
- Prolonged sitting increases the risk of heart disease by up to 147%, according to some research estimates.
- Standing burns approximately 50 more calories per hour than sitting — a modest but meaningful difference over the course of a working day.
- Regular movement breaks have been shown to improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost mood among office workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is On Your Feet Britain?
On Your Feet Britain is an annual workplace wellness campaign on the last Thursday of April, organised by Get Britain Standing. It encourages office workers and desk-based professionals to reduce sitting time and incorporate more movement into their working day.
When is On Your Feet Britain in 2026?
On Your Feet Britain 2026 takes place on Thursday, 30 April.
How can my workplace get involved?
Visit the Get Britain Standing website (activeworking.com/oyf) to register your workplace and download free resources including posters, activity suggestions, and email templates for promoting the day internally.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing On Your Feet Britain with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #MoveMore and #SitLess on social media. Challenge your colleagues to stand up, step away from the desk, and move more on 30 April 2026.
Related Awareness Days
- Stress Awareness Month — Observed throughout April, highlighting the impact of stress on health and wellbeing, including workplace stress.
- National Walking Month — Held throughout May, encouraging people to walk more for health, happiness, and the environment.
- Active for April — A month-long campaign encouraging physical activity and movement throughout April.
Links
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