A record 1,297 children attended Wealden District Council’s Summer Play Days
“We are delighted that children, parents and carers have made the most of the summer weather to come to our five activity days,” said Councillor Claire Dowling, Cabinet member for Public Health and Community Safety. “The attendance of nearly 1,300 children beats our 2010 record of nearly 1000. It has been great to see so many children taking part in a wide range of healthy activities and socialising with other youngsters”.
“With a new report* saying over 70 per cent of Britain’s youngsters do not enjoy the recommended one hour of physical activity a day, I would urge parents and carers make sure their new school routine includes more walking, cycling and sport for all the family. The new Smart Restart campaign includes some great tips for activities that can easily fit in to the busy family schedule.”
Wealden’s summer play days were held at Polegate, Crowborough, Heathfield, Uckfield and Hailsham and featured a range of activities including stoolball, cooking, crafts, rugby, mini-golf and dance …and a healthy picnic.
Here are some of the comments of parents and carers who attended:
- ‘Best play event I’ve been to with my children. Brilliantly organised.’
- ‘Really good mixture of activities.’
- ‘Really good to give the kids a chance to have a go at different sports – my sons want to join a stool ball club.’
- ‘It’s brilliant that everything is free.’
Local sports clubs, Freedom Leisure Centres and Children’s Centres helped with activities taking place at the events. Richardsons, who provide housing maintenance for Wealden District Council. kindly helped by transporting the play equipment to all the different venues.
Here are the five back to school Smart restart challenges suggested by the NHS and part of the Change4Life campaign
- Stretch your legs – encouraging families to swap car or bus journeys for walking, scooting or cycling.
- 10-minute moves – incorporating fun ten minute activities into lives to help build to the goal of at least 60 active minutes a day.
- Screen-time switch – encouraging limiting screen time and swapping time in front of the TV, tablet or computer for something active.
- Beat the treats – encouraging families to swap unhealthy treats for healthy alternatives.
- Super lunches – help keep children going through the school day with ideas for quick and tasty lunches.
More information about Smart Restart can be found on the Change4Life website, http://www.nhs.uk/change4life
PHOTO CREDIT, WEALDEN COUNCIL: 2013 Summer Play Day in Heathfield
*The report, How healthy behaviour supports children’s wellbeing, draws on a range of new research, including a report published by NatCen Social Research (funded by the Department of Health) and wider evidence from international academic literature relating to children’s health behaviours and their wellbeing
