Newport Live’s Community Sports and Wellbeing Team have launched The Daily Mile Destinations in primary schools across Newport and Monmouth which encourages children to get active whilst ‘travelling across the world’.
Currently 21 primary schools are signed up across Newport and Monmouth for The Daily Mile Destinations and 237 resource packs have been delivered. Some of the schools are already competing to see who can get across the world the quickest as part of the initiative with more to join over the coming weeks.
The Daily Mile Destinations is a new initiative launched by The Daily Mile Foundation at the start of the academic year to promote school-based physical activity and improve school children’s health and wellbeing. Developed in collaboration with teachers, the fun and engaging content links into the school curriculum and is an easy fit into all classrooms. Aiming to achieve 100 days of The Daily Mile, classes strive to complete 3-5 days of The Daily Mile a week with each Daily Mile moving them closer to reaching 1 of the 15 destinations around the world, whilst increasing levels of physical activity amongst pupils.
Chloe Powton, Sport and Physical Activity Development Officer at Newport Live said “We want every primary school in Newport and across the Gwent region to have the opportunity to take part in The Daily Mile Destinations initiative. The effects of coronavirus lockdowns and social distancing measures has taken its toll on children's physical activity, with 35% of under 16s doing less exercise than before according to a survey by Sport Wales. The feedback from teachers and children has been great, it has been lovely to hear how much the children are enjoying exercising and having fun with their friends. We will continue to actively work with schools, councils, and sporting bodies in Wales over the coming months to grow participation in The Daily Mile.”
Sam Thomas, Deputy Head Teacher at Milbank Primary School said “The Daily Mile Destination initiative has been a wonderful way for the children to incorporate daily activity into their learning. They have thoroughly enjoyed reaching, researching, and celebrating each destination. School and class councils have carefully planned how to mark the arrival at each milestone giving further opportunity to ensure that pupil voice is heard. It has been a wonderful whole school initiative to be involved in, many thanks to Newport Live for their continued support and motivation.”
Newport Live’s Community Sport and Wellbeing Team delivers sport, health and wellbeing, inclusion, and Positive Futures youth engagement opportunities for children, families, schools, communities, sports clubs, and local groups across Newport. They strive to make a difference in local communities and to get more people increasing levels of physical activity daily whilst supporting mental wellbeing. The team are held in high regard locally, regionally, and nationally by partners, and continue to use sport as a tool to engage and inspire people to be happier and healthier.
As Newport Live is a charitable organisation, all of its customers and members are helping to support the delivery of community projects and activities across Newport.
To find out further information about The Daily Mile and for joining instructions call 01633 287695 or email sportsdevelopment@newportlive.co.uk.
