Cemex UK and the charity Sense have joined forces to create The Cemex Wellness Challenge 2024; an epic fundraising community challenge which hopes to inspire and bring together our network of localised communities across the UK, together with our Cemex UK colleagues. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or not, this is one for you to get behind, to support a very worthy cause.?The Challenge incorporates the epic 5-day bike ride by a team of ten Cemex employees, and simultaneously, our Cemex Wellness Week where everyone of us can get involved, boost our health and wellbeing, while having fun and raising money for Sense at the same time!  Together, we can foster a positive team spirit and build healthy habits.

About Sense

The Charity Sense exists to support people living with complex disabilities, and those who are deafblind, to take part in life and enjoy meaningful connections that spark joy. One of the many ways that Sense can help people with complex disabilities is by offering employment support through their Sense Employment Programme.

Here are just a few ways that our support and donations can make a difference:

• £35 Touchpad – To provide better access for physically disabled and visually impaired users.

• £54 Trackball Mouse – These can be used to operate a computer in the same way a tradition computer mouse would, but rather than moving the mouse to navigate, you roll a ball. This means it can be operated by hand, arm, elbow, foot, giving options to people who have physical impairments.

• £119 Text to Speech software – For individuals who are non-verbal or use other communication methods, text to speech software allows typed text to be presented audibly.

• £192 Joystick Mouse – A joystick mouse again has the same function as a regular computer mouse but can be easier for a person to hold if they have limited mobility or dexterity in their hands.

• £250 Handheld digital magnifier – Works in much the same way a traditional magnifying glass would, but gives you the option to adjust the zoom level, contrast, and other features that might support someone with a visual impairment.

• £690 Laptop with assistive tech – Laptops enable our job seekers to complete their job searches. We also acquire licenses for ZoomText Fusion, an assistive technology package that is industry standard and ideal for people with visual impairments. It serves as both a magnification software and screen reader, allowing users to get audio descriptions to enable them to navigate their PCs.

In the Overview on the UK News download page: here you can find out more about Sense and how donations are making an incredible difference to people who are deafblind or who have complex disabilities.

Fundraising for Sense

During our Cemex Wellness Week, if you would like to support Sense here are some ideas how you can do this:

• Simply make a personal donation using our Cemex/Sense JustGiving page HERE

• Set yourself a personal challenge and ask friends and family to sponsor you by sharing our JustGiving link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cemexwellnessweek

• Organise a team challenge with your Cemex colleagues and ask friends and family to sponsor you by sharing our JustGiving link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cemexwellnessweek

• Take part in an organised event in your area – check out these events taking place in September: https://www.sense.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise-for-sense/events/

• Organise a ‘Sensational Tea Party for Sense’ in your office/site – full details here: https://www.sense.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise-for-sense/your-own-way/sensational-tea-party/

Whatever you choose to do, please tell us about it and share photos! Email us at: cemexwellnesschallenge@cemex.com

Participating in Cemex Wellness Week

Every day from Monday 16^th to Sunday 22^nd September, either alone or as a team, spend some time doing physical activities and keep a note of your time spent. Activities could include for example, running, cycling, walking, gym classes, swimming, racket sports, circuit training, spin classes, or dancing. Shopping, mowing the lawn or cleaning the car also count! You could set yourself a challenge (for example walk 10,000 steps per day), try something new or raise money for Sense as well. All we ask is that each day, you or your team Captain, logs your steps and then share your activity photos with us. We will be sharing more details of how to do all this in the coming weeks. We’re hoping you’ll embrace a friendly competitive spirt and we’ll be sharing a leader board to track team’s progress throughout the week. We will be awarding a prize for the team with the highest number of steps at the end of the week!

Time to mobilise your teams!

If you would like to participate as a team and compete against your colleagues, now is the time to start gathering your teammates (maximum 10 Cemex colleagues per team), choose a team name and a team captain!  Then your Captain can register the details of your team name, Captain’s name and the team members by clicking https://forms.office.com/r/c0ys62rN8F (or use the QR code in the poster HERE).

Deadline to register is 6^th September. You can also participate as an individual, just register your name using the same link.