Improving your wellbeing just became more affordable thanks to Everyday Active, a new initiative encouraging greater physical activity for Kent residents.
Examples of the sports equipment currently available at the Heart of Kent Hospice superstore
Everyday Active is a campaign from the Kent and Medway Active Partnership – Kent Sport – which has teamed up with the Heart of Kent Hospice.
For residents who would like to be a bit more active but are put off by the cost of the relevant kit and equipment, Heart of Kent Hospice’s Aylesford superstore now has affordable items to help you move more and be healthier. The kit already donated includes exercise bikes, dumbbells and fitness clothing from t-shirts, trainers to walking boots.
It does not matter if you are totally new to being active or you are just looking for a new challenge – there is something for everyone. This campaign will help you find the perfect activity for your experience and confidence levels, as well as activities that fit in around your everyday life.
There are plenty of opportunities, whether your choice is walking, couch-to-walking-5k, running, cycling, home or solo exercise, group exercise, swimming or just active days out with the children. The Everyday Active website is full of hints and tips and inspiration to move more and be healthier. If you need a helping hand – you can even sign up and create your own plan for a heathier you. You can find out more and sign up for free at www.everydayactivekent.org.uk
If you would like to donate kit or equipment – any piece of equipment of any size will be gratefully received at any of the 14 Heart of Kent Hospice shops – your closest branch can be found on their website www.hokh.org/support-us
Dick Fedorcio, Chair of the Kent and Medway Active Partnership, said: “Our aim is to get more people across Kent and Medway to be more active, more often, to enjoy healthy lives.
“This partnership will enable all of Kent’s communities to have access to equipment enabling them to be more active and improve their wellbeing. This is especially important in a time when we know people have struggled financially.”
Heart of Kent Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care to people living with a terminal illness in Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge & Malling and the surrounding areas. Since the Hospice opened in 1991, it has cared for more than 50,000 people – patients, their carers and families, offering not just clinical support but also emotional, spiritual and social care too. Their services cost £5 million a year to run, with more than £4 million raised through the generosity of their local community.
Mark Mickelburgh, Head of Retail at Heart of Kent Hospice said: “This brilliant initiative and partnership will enable people to access both sports equipment and kit at a low cost. It will also enable people to donate items of active clothing and equipment which they no longer need or use, to one of our 14 charity shops. By taking part in the Everyday Active campaign people can support Heart of Kent Hospice and get a bit more active in an affordable way.”
About the Kent and Medway Active Partnership – Kent Sport
The Kent and Medway Active Partnership – Kent Sport is an integrated team of Kent County Council and Sport England funded staff working together as the Active Partnership for Kent and Medway. It is part of a nationwide network of 43 Active Partnerships.
It provides a strategic lead on sport and physical activity so that all people and organisations may work together towards a more active county.
Partners and networks include: governing bodies of sport; clubs; school sports networks; local authorities; health; adult social care; community safety and housing.
Together we aim to provide opportunities for everyone to get involved in sport and physical activity for enjoyment, as well as wider health and social outcomes. www.kentsport.org