SANDWELL DAD TELLS FAMILIES “SHARED MOMENTS CREATE LIFELONG HEALTHY HABITS” AS LET’S MOVE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES

• Sandwell family stars in new radio advert sharing how getting active together has transformed their daily life
• Government’s Let’s Move! campaign shows how parents can build movement into everyday family routines
• Families across Sandwell helped to discover free ways to get active together

A Sandwell family has thrown their support behind the Government’s Let’s Move! Campaign which is helping local families get active together.

The campaign was launched to help families get active together following research that showed families are positive role models for their children getting active, yet less than half of children do the recommended one hour of activity a day. With just 14% of parents aware of this guideline, the drive is supported by partners including fitness coach Joe Wicks, creator of Activate, a free animated physical activity series for children.

Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: "Encouraging a more active nation is a key priority of mine and we want to inspire families across the country to discover the many ways they can get moving together.

“By investing £400 million in grassroots sports facilities over the next four years, we’re making sure families all over the UK have places to play and enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

“Having seen a ‘Let's Move!’ session first hand I know how accessible they are for both parents and children, helping them to turn everyday moments into fun exercise and build healthy habits that last a lifetime. ‘Let’s Move!’ shows how simple ways to be active can make a real difference to families and communities.”

For Qasim Ghaffoor and his three children, spending time outdoors is a way not just to stay active, but also to connect as a family. From riding bikes in their local park to going on simple walks together, these free activities have become the foundation of their routine, helping them spend quality time together while supporting both their physical and mental wellbeing.

Now, the Sandwell family is sharing their story as part of the Government’s Let’s Move! campaign, which is helping families discover simple, free ways to build physical activity into everyday life.

Qasim said: “When families make time to be active together, it strengthens far more than physical health — it builds confidence, resilience and connection. Whether it’s a walk to the park, riding bikes or simply playing outside, those shared moments create lifelong healthy habits.

“Campaigns like this remind us that staying active doesn’t have to be complicated — it just starts with making movement part of everyday family life.”

The Ghaffoor family are one of four families featured in a new series of radio adverts highlighting how physical activity can fit naturally into family life, helping parents and children spend time together while building healthy habits.

Let’s Move! was first launched in October and supported by figures from sport and physical activity including Joe Wicks and Olympic gymnasts Max Whitlock and Beth Tweddle. The campaign helps parents discover free and simple ways to keep their children active, from fun games inspired by Disney, Marvel and Pixar to building movement into everyday routines like the school run or star jumping along to a free five-minute Activate episode.

As spring approaches, visit the ‘Let’s Move!’ website and explore local activities, trips and inventive ways to exercise together outside the home. From ParkPlay and Junior parkrun activities in the local area to scenic walks recommended by the Canal & River Trust - get involved today!

Activities for families in and around Sandwell include:

Junior parkrun: A fun, free, friendly 2k event every Sunday morning for children aged 4-14 and their families in locations including Sutton Park, Edgbaston Reservoir and Ward End Playing Fields.

Football Foundation PlayZones: Safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities to play football and a whole range of other sports across nine sites including West Smethwick Park, Oakwood Park and Jubilee Park.

Canal & River Trust walks: Explore more than 2,000 miles of paths, surrounded by some of England's most beautiful waterside scenery by going for a walk, cycle or run together.

Joe Wicks, The Body Coach, said: "Moving together as a family can make such a difference. Not just physically, but mentally too. When kids are active, they feel happier, more confident and more energised, and doing it together makes it even more powerful.

“It doesn’t need to be complicated or feel like exercise. Whether it’s playing together, scooting, or doing an episode of Activate, it all counts towards the 60 minutes of movement kids need each day, and the most important thing is that it’s fun.

“Let’s Move! is about helping families build those simple, positive habits, showing that even small bursts of movement can boost wellbeing, lift moods and bring families closer together."

The Let’s Move! campaign is currently being piloted in Lancashire, alongside Bradford, Essex and Sandwell, where inactivity levels and inequality are higher than in other parts of the country. It forms part of the Government’s wider investment in grassroots sport, with £400 million being invested in community facilities over the next four years, helping ensure families across the country have access to welcoming, accessible places to be active together.

Ian Carey, Chief Executive of Active Black Country, said: "Providing children and young people with the best start in life through a range of opportunities to be active is at the heart of our Creating an Active Black Country strategy. It's vital to their health and wellbeing that we invest in their future, helping youngsters develop a lifelong habit of movement and physical activity.

"We fully support the Let's Move initiative. It's a great campaign to inspire families, schools and community groups in Sandwell to get children and young people to embrace movement as part of their daily lives. Starting with just 10 minutes of activity in a fun way can make a huge difference and motivate youngsters to enjoy being active and play sport in and out of school."

Just last month it was announced that almost 1,000 community projects have already benefitted from Government funding in 2025/26, delivering new all-weather pitches, extending playing hours through floodlighting, and building modern changing facilities designed to welcome underserved groups like women and girls.