×

‘Move more for ‘Miles in May!’

Website Miles In May 2020

How to get involved in this Bassetlaw initiative.

Local people and organisations are being encouraged to move more throughout the month of May.  In this Bassetlaw-wide initiative, running for its second year, people can complete their ‘miles in May’ through walking, dancing, swimming, cycling, running, rowing or a mixture. 

The aim is to connect Bassetlaw people to the amazing resources and groups in the district, encouraging friends and family to take part, and gaining the many benefits of physical activity for well-being. 

Small changes can make a big difference.  For those with mobility restrictions, there are ideas for getting more active on the www.betterinbassetlaw.co.uk website, there is an app to track progress and build connections, along with a ‘leader board’ for those setting themselves ambitious targets for running or cycling and who wish to log their activity. 

Dr Eric Kelly, chair of Bassetlaw NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, says ‘the benefits of being more physically active include not only helping to prevent and treat a range of conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and mental ill-health, but also improved wellbeing. Physical activity is a great way of connecting with other people, and with Bassetlaw’s many resources.  This is why Bassetlaw’s Integrated Care Partnership, which brings together the NHS, local government and the voluntary sector in our district, is supporting this project.

In 2019, Miles in May involved thousands of local people, and tracked Bassetlaw people undertaking an extra 31,000 miles – that is all the way around the world and part of the way back, and this year we want to do even more, by participants encouraging their friends, colleagues and family to get involved too.

How can you and your business get involved?

Employees who are physically active experience better health and well-being. This brings benefits to your businesses and organisations, including increased productivity, improved morale, fewer instances of ill health, reduced sick pay costs.

Encouraging your teams to include physical activity within their day can be as simple as having lunchtime walks, or you could use ‘Miles in May’ as an opportunity to be even more creative about how you support the well-being of your workforce.  See the website for more ideas: www.betterinbassetlaw.co.uk/milesinmay

Our campaign will reach thousands of local people, through NHS, council and voluntary sector partners engaging the public, local media, and a range of promotional resources.  These will include thousands of leaflets and activity forms which will blanket the district through GP practices, hospitals and other community settings.

For £100 you can sponsor Miles in May, and your organisation’s logo will be included in written publications, on our website (which has thousands of active users) and in our social media campaign, associating your business with this positive local initiative.  If you are interested in sponsoring Miles in May 2020, please contact hello@betterinbassetlaw.co.uk by 8th February.