The Mason Mile – The Family Mile was set up by The Mason Foundation with one single mission, to get families moving together. A staggering 67% of men and 62% of women in the UK are now classified as overweight or obese. This trend is also the case for children, with 1 in 5 year 6 children leaving primary school obese. We recognise that for many, becoming more active is not that simple.
What do I wear? Will I be able to do it? Will people laugh? Where can I do activity to suit my needs? Will I feel self-conscious? The list goes on.
The Mason Mile’s, Family Mile provides that first step to activity for people who may, otherwise, feel exercise is not for them. The Family Mile provides a fun, safe environment for families to just come along, without the need for any posh kit or devices, and join local families walking their mile their way.
The Family Mile is still very young, currently piloting in Maidstone thanks to funding from The Mason Foundation & Sport England’s Family Fund. However young the programme there is no doubt it is having a big effect. CommunityAd had the pleasure of an extensive chat with Dan Rhys Porter, a local family man who lives by the mantra of live, love laugh – make memories that last a live time, and he is certainly doing that, not only for himself but for the attendees of the Mason Miles Family Mile.
Maidstone is truly blessed with a selection of areas that can accommodate the mile isn’t it?
The idea behind The Mason Mile’s Family Mile is by downloading an App, a mile can start from your doorstep, wherever and whenever.
However, the beauty of Maidstone and the surrounding area makes choosing venues for group walks and holiday activities an easy task. Teston Bridge Country Park and White Horse Wood Country Park, both stunning locations on the outskirts of the Borough to name but a few. With Mote Park and The River Park near the centre of the town meaning a family walk in a green space isn’t hard to find.
Why is it so important that families do things together?
Children reflect the behaviours they see; it is important as parents that we reflect the right behaviours from a young age. Teaching our children to be active, outdoors and having fun away from a screen from a young age is invaluable as it will pass on from generation to generation.
Especially in these Technology-obsessed times why is it beneficial to engage with nature?
In a world where we are dramatically trying to reduce carbon emissions to protect the environment for generations to come, what better way than to engage with nature and teach our children from a young age a green way to get from A to B.
Engaging with nature is also cleansing for the mind and proven to be good for mental and physical health, reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, it’s also highly educational.
It must be personally satisfying seeing teenagers turn up with a face on then half way round finding themselves almost smiling?
Finding ways to make a mile fun, seeing the families smiling, laughing and joking with one another is the biggest perk of the job.
In the autumn half term, we hosted a Mystery Mile which was like a live action investigation mile with families teaming up to decide who committed the crime by interviewing actors at set locations on a mile walk. Hearing all the families getting thoroughly engrossed in the game and having fun without realising how far they had walked has been a highlight of last year.
Why should readers consider coming along for a mile in 2020?
Come the new year we are all looking for that right “New Year, New You” promotion with a large percentage of us forking out for gyms, clubs and initiatives only to give up a few months later due to time restraints, family commitments or price rises in membership.
The Family Mile is free exercise whilst spending quality time with the family, motivating one another and gaining rewards that signpost into further family activity. What’s not to love? Forget New year, New you and instead start thinking New Year, New Us.
Smiles for Miles – Here is what families are saying
Kelly said “we consider ourselves a fairly active family already but Family Mile has encouraged us to get out more. We often do the Mote Park Family Mile but we have also enjoyed the Halloween Mile which was well set up with just the right amount of spookiness. It’s been lovely chatting with other families whilst enjoying fresh air and being active. Thank you”
Claire said “We have just done the Mystery Mile with The Family Mile and it was great fun. Lots of clues to find and actors to speak to and you really don’t feel like you’ve done a mile. Would highly recommend and we will be doing more as a family to get active together!”
Nikki said “My family and I joined the FREE Family Mile initiative in October and have loved every bit of it. Family Mile is FREE, easy and great fun and all that’s left to say is, thank you Family Mile!”