CSSC | Centenary Voices CSSC Sports & Leisure

In this special edition of CSSC's Centenary Podcast, we are marking this year's Mental Health Awareness Week.

Alex is an adventurer, endurance athlete, motivational speaker, Ordnance Survey Champion and published author from Chester, now based in Kendal. At just 25 he has attempted to climb Everest twice and is the fastest person ever to climb all 100 UK County Tops in 72 days, winning Pride of Britain 'Regional Fundraiser of the Year 2017’. In 2020 he ran the National 3 Peaks, raising over £11,000 for the charity.

Regularly running in the Lakeland fells, outdoor challenges and sport have long been a tool for managing his own well-being including depression, anxiety and an eating disorder. Having experienced the lack of support first-hand, Alex co-founded Mind Over Mountains to help others access the power of the outdoors for staying mentally well.

In this special edition of CSSC's Centenary Podcast, we are marking this year's Mental Health Awareness Week.

For this episode, we are joined by Alan Billington, Head of Programme for Health & Wellbeing at CityLit Education in London. Alan has recently received the Health & Wellbeing Award, sponsored by CSSC, for his work developing CityLit's wellbeing centre and for the support he provided to students and colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about CityLit here and sign up to one of their Health & Wellbeing courses here.

In 2021, Jon caught up with Ash Robinson to discuss his introduction to the sport as a teenager, how he fell in love with the sport and how it lead him to become the club captain of CSSC London Barbarians.

Have you got a story to tell about your experiences with CSSC as a volunteer or member? Get in touch today

To mark International Women's Day 2022, Jon caught up with Abbie Barnes, creator of WILD. WILD was created by Abbie in 2016 to inspire and empower individuals to don their walking boots and head outside for the benefit of mental and physical wellbeing.

During this episode, Abbie talks about what gender bias means to them and how they champion women's equality to be a part of the creation of a diverse and inclusive World. We also learn about Abbie's role models and how their influence has affected the way in which Abbie works now.

Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias

To mark International Women's Day 2022, Jon caught up with Rachel Smillie, Civil Servant and elite rower.

In 2023 Rachel will be rowing 3000 miles unsupported across the Atlantic as part of Team Excelsioar, a crew of three women, in pursuit of a new world record, to raise money for two amazing charities, and to inspire girls and women to challenge themselves and change their perception of what’s possible.

During this episode, Rachel talks about the trials and tribulations of being a woman in the world of rowing, her role models and what she feels can be done to #BreakTheBias

Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias

To mark International Women's Day 2022, Jon caught up with Sam Brookes (Senior HR Policy Consultant), Julia Bradley (Personnel Adviser), Alizay Agha (Strategy Lead) from the Cabinet Office to discuss gender equality in the workplace.

During this episode, they talk about their projects within the Gender Equality Group (GEG). Their aim is to promote gender equality and equal treatment for all colleagues regardless of gender identity, across all our locations, through events, workshops, communications and collaboration to create impact both in and out of the workplace.

Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias