Free skipping ropes for families in Sandwell

Active Black Country has teamed up with the Association for Physical Education to support Sandwell Council’s Play Service by providing 1,000 ropes.

The skipping ropes, supplied by Skip2Bfit, have a unique counting system to record the number of skips.

Skip2Bfit has also provided families with guidance and suggestions on how to make the most of of their skipping ropes.

Over the course of the summer, Active Black Country is encouraging children, young people and families to spend more time outdoors and be active, as part of the Move 4 Summer campaign.

Ian Carey, director of Active Black Country, said: “We are delighted to be working with Sandwell MBC and afPE on this project.

"Prior to the lockdown, our research showed exercising at home was something that 55.2 per cent of Sandwell-based respondents said they would never do.

"However, 64.8 per cent said they were active in the house during lockdown and skipping is something that all the family can do in the home or garden.”

Sue Wilkinson, chief executive officer of afPE, said: "afPE is delighted that Active Black Country has taken a lead to ensure support in getting children, young people and their families active.

"We are all aware of the irrefutable evidence that demonstrates how important it is to be active in order to improve our physical health and emotional wellbeing.

"The current unprecedented challenges have been extremely difficult for everyone and we believe that this partnership between Active Black Country, Skip2bfit and afPE will help to encourage families to be outdoors, enjoying time together whilst being active.

"The skipping ropes can also be used to develop mathematical skills and Skip2bfit provide excellent challenges that are fun, creative and enjoyable as well as having positive health benefit."

The skipping ropes have been provided as part of the council’s Family Packs of Play, and have been shared with a number of groups across Sandwell to be distributed to families.

This includes Bearwood Action for Refugees, Black Country Women’s Aid, community food banks, school special educational needs co-ordinator referral and via Sandwell Council's play offer across its six towns.

Samantha Harman, play services manager for Sandwell Council, said: “Play is so important for children and young people and never more so than during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Sandwell Council’s play service, Go Play Sandwell, have been working throughout this time delivering Family Packs of Play to those children who might need them.

"This couldn’t have happened without the fabulous support from our voluntary sector partners and organisations. The play packs include lots of things to support families to be playful including the skip2Bfit skipping ropes, bubbles, craft packs, books, chalks and our Pocketful of Play Challenge packs.

"More than 1,000 packs have already been distributed and more are in the pipeline."