Maidstone Leisure Trust Covid-19 Survey

MLT are conducting a survey to identify how local clubs and groups have been impacted by COVID-19 and if there is anything that can be done to support them further during this time.

Every club who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 to contribute towards their activities and operation in compliance with COVID-19 regulations during this time. For example, for hand sanitiser, masks, social distancing markers or other equipment you may need. If you choose to share your website and social media details (via the survey), MLT will also ensure these are put on their webpage to promote your club and also let people know who has contributed to this piece of work. Please only include these details in the survey if you are happy for them to be shared.

The link to the survey can be found here: https://forms.gle/Wtj5gE638r2QjmNq8

These results of the survey will be used by MLT in discussions with Maidstone Borough Council and wider Sporting Bodies to promote Sport and Leisure in the area. They will also be made available to those that have contributed.

Please complete this survey by 31st January 2021 to be entered into the prize draw – please note there will be one entry per club/group. The prize draw winner will be announced in February.

World Mental Health Day

For World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October, Mid-Kent MIND have put together a package of graphics which partner organisations can share on their social media channels – highlighting important facts about mental health whilst also encouraging meaningful discussions during a period of time when we are all struggling.

Here are a couple of our favourites –

  

Get on Track with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust

Swale Community Leisure and the Maidstone Leisure Trust are partnering with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to deliver a new programme called, Get on Track, for young people between the ages of 16-25; who are NEET (not in employment, education or training) or at risk of becoming NEET.

The programme uses an ex-athlete, in our case GB Gold Medallist Claire Bennett, to help mentor and motivate young people, build their skills and help to stay in education, find jobs, employment or training opportunities. The programme also targets those who live in a low socio-economic output area.

At the moment these sessions will just be virtual however, subject to government guidelines and social distancing rules, we hope to get delivering in person once it is safe to do so. The programme is free for young people who meet the criteria.

We would encourage anyone interested in the programme for themselves, or alternatively an organisation wishing to refer young people in to the programme, to get in touch.

For more information, please contact enquiries@swaleleisure.org

Cycle for Fun and Fitness

 

Cycling is good for your physical fitness and mental health and it is good for the environment. All true, but it is also fun.

Fun on a bike comes in a variety of ways and you certainly don’t have to wear Lycra! Whether it is on or off the road, bikes come in all shapes and sizes.  Some are used for touring, some for racing. Some to transport us to work or the shops and all of them reduce our carbon footprint. Electric bikes, are gaining in popularity especially amongst the older population. My club the San Fairy Ann CC has several riders well into their 80’s who are not ready to give up cycling and that little bit of help on hills has given them the opportunity to continue to enjoy the benefits of cycling for several  years to come. I ride with an 87yr old most weeks in a group called the Wednesday Wobblers, he said that he might think about an electric bike for his 90thbirthday!

So it doesn’t matter what your age is, cycling is for everyone. The Maidstone Leisure Trust can give clubs and organisations in the Maidstone area, who promote a sport or similar leisure activities, a small grant to help them build their club. Cycling is most certainly included, so we are here to help. Details of how to apply for bursaries can be found on our Trust website https://www.maidstoneleisure.org.

Cycling events for the elite and the beginner alike are available in our local area and these can be located on-line.  Some long distance events such as sportives are usually quite challenging. However, many charities run cycling events aimed at beginners as well as the more experienced. Distances can range between 30km and 100Km. They invariably include a route that is enjoyable and not too arduous. The primary aim is for the riders to raise funds for the charity but they are also fun to do.

Clive Bradburn

The Maidstone Leisure Trust

 

Some Helpful Contacts

San Fairy Ann CC http://www.sanfairyanncc.co.uk
British Cycling Let’sRide https://www.letsride.co.uk
MCC Off Road http://www.mccoffroad.co.uk
KCC Cycle Training https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/road-safety/road-safety-training/cycle-training
Sustrans https://www.sustrans.org.uk
Cycling UK  ( ex- CTC) https://www.cyclinguk.org
Recumbent Cycling http://www.bhpc.org.uk
Tandems https://tandem-club.org.uk/groups/Kent
Tricycles https://tricycleassociation.org.uk/south-east/
Over 40’s http://www.fortypluscc.co.uk/
Off Road https://www.livebiking.co.uk/saturday-bike-club
Balance Bikes https://www.cyclemetots.com
Social Rides https://www.meetup.com/topics/cycling-club/gb/g5/maidstone/
Veterans https://v-cc.org.uk
Time Trials https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/district-clubs/16
Strategies https://maidstonecycling.uk
Charity rides https://www.active.com/tonbridge-kent/cycling/castle-ride-100-2020
https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk
https://www.pilgrimshospices.org/event/pilgrims-hospices-cycle-challenge-2020/
http://www.oasisdaservice.org/oasis-events/2020/4/26/km-big-bike-ride-2020

 

 

 

 

Junior parkrun’s 3rd birthday

It is three years since the Trust provided funding to set up the Junior Park Run at Parkwood, Maidstone. The organisers have done a grand job promoting the weekly run and the numbers of youngsters regularly turning out each Sunday morning is on the increase.

There is a good pool of volunteers including our Trust Chairman Clive Bradburn, who give up their time to support the runners and their parents and the club has also recently been successful in obtaining further Trust Bursaries to fund a defibrillator and annual birthday medals for all the runners.

To celebrate the club’s 3rd birthday the local Kent Messenger paper gave over two whole pages of photos of the recent event. The Trust is pleased to have helped the club and it is pleasing that the club has received this community recognition.