Whilst visiting a charity in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2013, Gavin Bradley was curious
to understand why all the staff had access to Sit-Stand work stations – and what’s more they thought nothing of it.
Puzzled by this, Gavin decided to investigate the background to why Sweden (and indeed Scandinavia) is all Sit-Standing
at work and he soon realised that there was some stark scientific research evidence which has resulted in
legislation providing guidance to employers that office workers should have a right to height adjustable
desks to reduce sitting time whilst at work.
Gavin decided that other countries needed simple (but stern) communication from the fast emerging area of
sedentary science.
"In short we have dropped the ball and need to become more acutely aware of just how dangerous and widespread
the health risks of prolonged sitting can be - irrespective of the levels of physical activity".
Hence GET BRITAIN STANDING was born
Our goal is to draw attention to the significant increase in health risks caused by sitting (i.e. heart disease,
diabetes and cancer) and compelling benefits of converting sitting time to standing time whilst at work
(wellbeing, productivity and positive attitude).
Our vision is that within 20 years more than 80 per cent of the workforce (four in five staff) will convert
between 2 – 4 hours of sitting time with standing daily at their desk.
Please join in, follow us on social media and help spread our messages to GET BRITAIN STANDING.
International Advisory Panel
Get Britain Standing is proudly connected to Active Working CIC’s International Scientific
Advisory Panel (ISAP).
This panel consists of leading international scientific experts who have dedicated their
careers to building the evidence of sedentary behaviour, workplace design and public
health research. The panel provide their advice on a voluntary basis and
are not responsible for the messages in this campaign but
do lend their general support. The panel consists of:
Dr Stuart Biddle, PhD
Professor of Active Living & Public Health, Victoria University, Australia. Chairman of Active Working CIC
International Scientific Advisory Panel (ISAP).
“I am personally delighted to support Get Britain Standing. It’s not a moment too soon.
I wish you every success in your campaign to help the British public make simple changes
to achieve significant health benefits generated by reducing sedentary time. Good luck!”
Dr James Levine
Professor of Medicine, Director Obesity Solutions, Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University
“The international Get Standing campaigns play a vital role in improving the understanding of the problems
and solutions to combat sedentary behaviour in the workplace. I am honoured to be associated with such important work”
Dr David Dunstan
Associate Professor & Head, Physical Activity Laboratory, Baker IDI, Melbourne Australia
“Prolonged sitting is the most underrated health threat of modern time. I am delighted to be
associated with an important international campaign which provides clear and simple
communication on the merits of reducing and breaking up sitting time in the workplace”.
Dr John Buckley, PhD
Reader of Applied Exercise Science in Health Chester.
John was lead author on the expert statement
"The Sedentary Office: a growing case for change towards better health and productivity"
commissioned jointly by Public Health England with Active Working C.I.C. to provide guidance
for employers and staff working in an office environment.
"Get Britain Standing seems an excellent way to promote and educate the public about
the ills of sitting too much. It’s not just for inactive people either, as we know that
even for people who play sport and do exercise, if they spend a lot of their day sitting,
they too are putting their health at risk. Standing more is a health benefit for all."
Professor Alan Hedge
Professor of Ergonomics, Dept. Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University
Alan is the Environmental Design Representative for the International Ergonomics
Association and a Fellow of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (IEHF - UK).
He has conducted extensive research into Design and Workplace Ergonomics as they affect
health, comfort and productivity of workers - with heavy focus on workstation design
and computer ergonomics.
"For 20 years I have been a proponent of sit-stand workstations and reducing sitting
time in the workplace. It is wonderful to see the Get Britain Standing take off and develop
an education strategy that can bring real change to the workplace. It is high time for cultural
revolution to boost health and productivity in the workplace.”
