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Coronavirus Kent: The groups going digital to stay active in lockdown

While many have been taking part in TikTok challenges and following Joe Wicks' workouts, groups and businesses in Maidstone have been taking a similar approach and going digital to stay active in lockdown.

One group that has adapted to the challenging times is the Mason Mile's Family Mile - a Sport England funded initiative, sponsored by Golding Vision that focuses on physical and mental wellbeing.

Before lockdown, the families would meet up several times a week to explore the best walking routes Maidstone has to offer.

From Mote Park to Teston Bridge, across the week families would rack up an impressive average of 250 miles.

But, the group have not let lockdown dampen their spirits, families are still taking part, only in a slightly different way.

Coordinator Daniel Porter has been setting home challenges to keep people moving and more importantly, having fun.

From loo roll yoga, to around the house scavenger hunts, families have been recording themselves taking part and uploading the videos to Facebook.

Lee, Tallie and Andrea from Gorillas in Maidstone are working hard to support their members online
Lee, Tallie and Andrea from Gorillas in Maidstone are working hard to support their members online

Daniel said: "Now more than ever, people are able to come together as a family and exercise.

"Whether that takes the form of a 15 minute walk or run locally, a workout in your home, or just a fun activity which gets everyone moving more consciously.

"And people can still log the exercise they do on the Strava app which is completely free and start earning rewards for being active."

Another group that has devoted its time to keeping its members active from home is Gorillas - a centre that provides confidence building workshops and fitness classes for the entire family.

Lee Jacobs has been running Gorillas on King Street in Maidstone town centre since 2007.

The 42-year-old said: "As soon as Boris Johnson called lockdown I wanted to think of a way to make sure our members could still access our classes so their mental health didn't suffer in any way while at home.

"What we decided to do was put on various live classes online instead. Our members can now log in to any of our classes on Zoom.

"We have some suitable for the family and others that just focus on fitness and nutrition for adults so there is still something for everyone.

"With so much negativity around, we've also set up a separate Facebook page that's free to everyone to use that encourages people to share what they are grateful for and promotes positive mental health during this time which can be extremely difficult.

"There's so many people out there struggling at the moment and staying active can really help people change the focus in their heads."

Children from Lenham Primary School have their very own exercise guru to give Joe Wicks a run for his money.

Since Headmistress Mrs McCluskey first joined the school on Ham Lane, she has been the driving force behind daily Zumba workouts promoting physical exercise and healthy minds.

In isolation, Mrs McCluskey has kept the tradition going by uploading a Zumba workout to Twitter every morning at nine o'clock just like the ones the children would normally do at school.

Mrs McCluskey who has a full Zumba qualification said: "I wanted to keep a sense of normality for the pupils during a time when things are very different for them.

"Some will join me live and others will join in a bit later in the day but I've had really positive feedback and the kids seem to love it.

"It all started a couple of weeks before sports day, not long after I joined. We wanted to open the day with a big dance so I taught it to the children by doing a 10 minute practice every morning for two weeks and the staff and the children loved it and it made everyone's wellbeing much better.

"We decided to keep it going so everyday, after registration, the whole school comes out onto the playground, even in the drizzle and we all dance together."

Annie Dylie, parent to six-year-old Bella who loves to dance along with Mrs McCluskey said: "We would like to say a big thank you to Mrs McCluskey and all the staff at Lenham Primary School, supporting the children and parents, especially keeping the school open whilst key workers continue to do their jobs."

For families looking to keep their little ones entertained in isolation, Teenie Boppers Music Group running a free online sing-along every morning.

Simone Middleton from Leybourne usually runs four classes a week in Lordswood, Sittingbourne and East Malling.

Now, she has transformed her back garden into a live stage where she sings and dances with her Teenie Boppers every morning.

The 45-year-old said: "It's not in my nature to sit around doing nothing so I moved everything online so not only do the kids have something to keep them busy but also I have something to focus on.

"Even 70-year-olds have been getting in touch saying they don't have any grandchildren at home but they still take part everyday.

"My husband and I set up a scenario in the back garden every day where I sing-along to nursery rhymes with musical movements. "We're having to think on our feet daily now because in the beginning it was just fun but now more and more people are tuning in."

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