Lindsay was looking for a way to be active with her kids and get back into sport. She is now a regular attendee of Shildon ParkPlay which offers free fun and games in Hackworth Park every Saturday morning. It’s suitable for all ages and abilities, so the whole family can get involved!

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, we spoke to Lindsay to discuss her experiences of getting active at Shildon ParkPlay.

What encouraged your decision to become physically active?
“I was always brilliant at sport throughout school, I loved it and it was something that I really enjoyed and benefitted from! I was very sporty as a child but then the teenage years hit. When I went to college there wasn’t the opportunities there and I began to miss it. Having children was a perfect excuse to get back into sport. However, I struggled to find opportunities for parents and kids to get active together, so when I found out about ParkPlay I thought “ooh I can actually do that!”.”

How did you become involved in ParkPlay?
“I found out about ParkPlay through Facebook, and I thought it sounded like a great way to get active with the kids. The opportunity to keep active as a family works a charm!”

What do you enjoy most about being physically active?
“It is great being able to do an activity with the kids, as opposed to just watching them. I love the community element, the social aspects and the healthy competition. Being active helps me to burn energy and keep the weight down, and ParkPlay allows me and the kids to stay healthy together. Being in the fresh air, away from computers and work emails, is massively beneficial to me.”

How do you stay motivated?
“The kids keep me motivated because they get so excited about going every week! The coaches keep the sessions engaging with ‘parents vs. kids’ games and I enjoy ParkPlay so much that I actually travel to attend the sessions.”

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about getting involved in physical activity, such as joining ParkPlay?
“Getting active is good for the family. It allows you to have family time without the interference of social media or technology. ParkPlay allows family fun, which everyone benefits from! For me, it is nice to show my daughter that women can do sports. I can show my daughter that I am a decent sports player, and I can see that element of proudness from her because it’s usually a ‘guy thing’. Now my daughter recognises that I am the fastest person in our household (although my husband would disagree!). The ParkPlay staff are resilient, inclusive, adaptable and make you feel comfortable, and the sessions are fun, friendly and welcoming!”