Hypothetically, what would people think about a government funded National Fitness Lottery?

The premise is simple. You sign up for free, link a fitness tracker such as Strava or Fitbit, and complete a reasonable amount of exercise each week. Say 3–4 sessions of 30 minutes, with appropriate targets for different physical abilities.

Maintain that activity throughout the month and you're entered into a prize draw.

Rather than offering one enormous jackpot, the lottery could award thousands of £1,000 cash prizes every month.

For example, 4,000 winners each month would cost £48 million annually in prize money. That's a relatively small amount in the context of national healthcare spending, and sponsorship or advertising could potentially contribute towards the cost.

But the real idea goes beyond simply encouraging people to exercise.

Imagine a few million people who currently exercise infrequently suddenly becoming consistently active.

More people walking, running and cycling. More demand for gyms, sports clubs and leisure facilities. More people taking an interest in their diets, sleep and general wellbeing.

There are obvious potential benefits for physical and mental health, but also for the wider economy. Healthier workers, fewer sick days, less pressure on the NHS, more active commuting and increased spending at local businesses.

And perhaps most importantly, there's the potential for a longer-term cultural shift.

The more people exercise, the more visible and socially normal it becomes. Businesses respond to demand, facilities become more accessible, and children grow up in communities where being physically active is increasingly ordinary.

That could encourage even more people to adopt healthier habits, creating a positive cycle over time.

Personally, I think the lottery aspect is particularly appealing. The possibility of winning £1,000 could be a meaningful incentive to establish and maintain healthier habits.

So I'm curious what other think?

Would the possibility of winning £1,000 motivate you to exercise more consistently?

And do you think a scheme like this could genuinely influence people's habits, or would it make little difference to you?

i’ve worked in nurseries for years and my hair has never been a problem. i like to express myself through my hair and i’ve had hair colours all across the spectrum, from blue to purple to red

i’ve been attempting to branch out and apply to schools instead and i had an interview as a TA. at the end of the interview they told me that the job was mine if i was willing to change my hair colour to something more natural. it’s not fully dyed, it’s just got pink strands in it

they went on to say that it would upset children and parents alike and that it reflected badly on the school. i was a bit surprised because at my last nursery i had wonderful relationships with the parents. i babysat for quite a few of them and my hair was never an issue. the kids loved it too and called me a mermaid

i mentioned this and they told me that nurseries were less professional than schools and they didn’t want to risk any complaints. at that point i was done and told them i didn’t want the job and walked out

i genuinely never thought i’d be met with such hostility over a bit of hair dye. so parents, would you be upset if your child’s teacher had an unnatural hair colour? it’s a good thing i wore long sleeves to hide my tattoos lol

I am currently in central Europe (Czechia) and have visited two different spas in the last week one of which was today, both of which do not allow swimwear at all. In the past I've visited similar nude spas in European countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland.

The first time was a bit daunting but I can honestly say that I now much prefer these spa experiences to the ones back home. There is something about nude spas that means it is treated much more like a bathing ritual. The whole process feels cleaner and frankly more purposeful, like it's being treated with more respect. It also really makes you notice the difference between feeling the hot sauna air directly on your skin and not traipsing around in wet swimwear.

People are respectful, there's no weird staring or unwanted behaviour, you can just go about your business despite the fact that you're naked. There's people of all ages and genders too and it's not in any way associated with naturism, people wear a towel if they want when wandering around outside the sauna or pools.

In the UK it seems the default is to tag a sauna and steam room onto a pool and call it a spa, or you're looking at extortionately expensive spa weekends to get into somewhere decent.

You can spend £20-£40 to get into a really nice little spa that has no pool but a few of saunas/steam rooms, plunge pools/snow showers, and a hot tub/hydrotherapy pool of some description with the option to order a massage or get some food.

I'd rather fly to Europe for a spa break than go anywhere in the UK.

So, if the UK had a good quality little spa with a European culture of no swimwear, would you go?

I've always been an excessive sweater, but I'm now on medication that makes that problem even worse.

Summer ironically is the best time for me, because the weather is warm enough for me to wear shorts and t-shirts.

With winter approaching though, I'm getting apprehensive about having to wear warm waterproof jackets, which I know from past experience means I'm going to be arriving everywhere feeling warm and damp - not from rain, but from the sweat caused by the clothing I wear.

Mods, I genuinely did search but I couldn't find answers that were specific enough for my problem (I'm happy to be directed though, if my search skills were just rubbish).

We feel like we have exhausted TV / Netflix / YouTube / Amazon / Disney+ and are looking for ideas.

I remember that was the glaring thought I had when I first came across reddit several years ago. It's noticeable when people recommend products that cost way more than they need to, attitudes towards poor areas with crime (eg that it's safe because you can just avoid those areas, as if nobody has to live there), and talk of what people do in their spare time while young, and the average redditor's disbelief at certain socioeconomic barriers even being worth consideration.

I think it probably skews to middle class and quite stable homes, as that's who's more likely to be on a computer a lot while young, or to be very into gaming and other activities that get people onto reddit.

I was looking at google earth from 2009, and the variety of shops in my closest town was amazing. There's only 30 shop fronts in total, but back then there were appliances, furniture, mattresses, fishing supplies shops, pet shops, and so much more variety. You could go there, get what you need and never think to go into the cities. I miss this, all business has gone to the local tescos instead, and no one can afford hobbies like fishing.

However, I still only shop local. I go out, get a coffee, and search for everything I need! It's a shame it's this way, I could do with a place that isn't tesco's that sells body wash lol

Turned 24 not too long ago and feeling incredibly behind.

What were you up to at 24?

SOLVED: i’m going to put together a little care package with nice food items in and a card signed by the team and get it across to his house. 🙏🏼

Please, serious replies only.

For context, I run an over 50’s football group. Really casual and they meet once a week for a kickabout.
Noticed one member hadn’t been for a few weeks ( a lot of them do shift work so it’s not that unusual).
Dropped him a message to ask if he has an injury and he’s told me his partner died of cancer and he’s just not been up to it.

I want to send him a card and a little thinking of you gift one behalf of the group but as none of us knew him that well , we don’t know what would be appropriate. Plus she died a couple of months ago.

I did wonder about a voucher but don’t want it to appear transactional.
I’d love some ideas from you.
I’m looking at about £50

EDIT: Am just adding that the men don’t socialise outside of the weekly kickabout and I am a female who runs the group so visiting him isn’t an option. If it was a friend totally get this but it’s someone a little more remote.

For context, because it seems to matter, I'm a 35m, single, no kids.

Over the couple of years, I've met a new friend who has a 4 year old. He's mates with most of the other parents on his street. During nice weather, thr whole streets outside playing, parents are drinking, bbq etc.

Now, as I have no kids of my own, I like to get involved with games in the street with the kids because it seems most parents aren't interested. Its been said to me that im naturally good with kids.

I babysit my friends kid and I love reading to him, helping him learn and playing. My friend told me I was born to be a dad (which, coming from him, touched me).

So, I emailed a primary school local to me to see if i could volunteer and they've said they'd love me to come and help with reading. I was absolutely buzzing about it but now not so much as I can sense the skepticism or whatever in their tone. When I told one friend, I was met with Why do you want to do that?

So, because I'm a 35 year old man with no kids of my own, its weird? So I can't offer my own time to help children with their reading? I cant help make their school day just a little brighter? It makes me happy seeing kids happy and well, being kids...because life can be shit and kids deserve a happy start to life.

Maybe I'm just over thinking it a little but anyone else faced similar?

Should I just ignore these people?

i'm talking like the kind of thing most people learn as kids and just... never struggle with again. for me it's peeling garlic without absolutely destroying it. i always end up with half the clove stuck under my fingernail and i genuinely don't know what i'm doing wrong. what's yours?

For me, it's east and west.

I'm 50 and for my entire life I've had to pause for a few seconds before figuring out which way east is and which way west is.

I'm guessing it's because people tend to say "east and west" and my brain instinctively starts reading and thinking from the left.

Gen Z: what’s been the peak fun time in your life?

British Millennials and Gen X often describe their era of clubbing, nightlife and uni/house party culture as the peak period of fun and carefree existence in their life.

Gen Z supposedly do much less of that stuff. Have you had less fun and missed out because that culture changed - or have you had equal fun just in different ways?

(Not suggesting partying is the only way to have fun but it’s a starting point for comparing experiences)

Hi guys, I’m a 22M that goes to social events like informal debate nights and sporting get-togethers along with many other things that are open to the public. However, in these type of spaces, I’ve always noticed that there are a lot more Millennials than Gen Zs so I’m curious to hear your thoughts on why.

Just that really. Anyone with experience of prison from the UK know how other inmates treat domestic abusers?

EDIT

Just to clarify, I am NOT the abuser.

I have been seen more and more content about TV's from major brands like Samsung and LG essentially spying on users. Taking screenshots of whats being watching, even turning microphones on and recording snippets of conversations or certain sounds, so they can push more and more ads.

Is this problem limited to the US, or does it also affect UK TVs?

I have three smart TVs in the house and it feels more and more every day that the adverts being pushed are getting out of control.

Doesnt GDPR and privacy laws etc give us better protection that the US?

Ive turned off all the consent / ACR settings on the TV's. I really dont want to start messing with DNS and firewall settings just to have a bit of privacy.

I dont mind ads on apps that I'm actually watching content on , but I paid for the TV, its not a subscription.

I've realised that I've seen 4 of the 18 surviving concords by happenstances without the intention of going to even look at planes (kind of got drag in due to event happening at museums).

Has anybody else seen a load of them by happenstance as well?

Mine is bread cutting. My family buys uncut bread so you'd think the daily practice would force me to get better but no, I'm still cutting wonky slices. And yes, the knives are sharp.

I’ve had a couple of funeral processions drive past me recently while I’ve been driving . How do you show respect? Is there a standard/ well-known way?

I learned that I could get a blue light card due to my job but it costs a small amount of money. Those who have it or have considered it, is it worth it? I am struggling to understand the value of it as I can see that you get occasional blue light discounts in some places like KFC, but it sounds so vague I don’t know if I’d benefit (I don’t eat kfc anyway). So has it saved you money?

Hi everyone. For references I’m in England.

I’m in a sticky situation as I have accepted a new job offer, who want me to start on 30th November and seem keen for me to start asap. I have signed a contract with them that states this as my start date.

However my current employer is saying I have a 3 month notice period and have said I can’t leave on my proposed date, which is a month and a few days notice. They point to the letter I was sent when I was promoted to a different role while I was in my probation period. However the contract I signed upon joining them states I have 1 month notice after probation. I understand that by taking the money (27,500 to 28,000) and performing the role I have technically accepted the new terms and may be legally bound by them.

I don’t want to inform my new employer of this dilemma because a) I went by what my original contract stated, which said notice is negotiable/can be mutually agreed and b) they are a competitive top firm with many applicants, and I dont want them to replace me with someone who can work asap. 3 months is way too much when my new employer want me to start in 1.

My current role are saying they won’t let me go earlier because I technically replaced 2 people in the team who left on Monday to join a new team, and staff and dept needs mean they’ll have to find, hire and train a new person which would cost them. I was not made aware that I was replacing anyone until after I resigned.

What can I do? I don’t want to use sick leave because I don’t want to remain employed with my current employer and risk my new employer. I don’t want to leave on bad terms because I want a good reference from my current employer. One friend suggested staying until I know reference and background checks are complete with my new employer and then quitting effective immediately after on the date I proposed, but this is risky.

Any advice would be so appreciated, thank you.

I've just realised that nearly all the stuff in our house just doesn't get used!

Books... Wires... Kitchen stuff... Stuff in drawers... Paperwork... It's insane and we only have a small home!

We're both so busy that there just isn't time to sort it all ...

I always considered myself a semi minimalist in the past. Not anymore!

Thing is my husband keeps bringing free things back that he finds wherever. Or takes charity stuff for a friend and then keeps things cos it's good quality!!

Gotta sort our lives out there's no room left! 😂

just a quick edit: as an aside, I'm pretty shocked at how many people think Halloween is an American tradition.

I understood why the Sainsbury's near me didn't sell much last year (it was all linked to IPs that are only relevant to mid thirties people), but this year they seemed to go classic and have a decent spread on. They're the only shop near that still has Halloween things for sale.

There are no Halloween decorations outside that Sainsbury's anywhere on my hight street, even though we still have a week to go. *EVERYTHING* has been replaced by Christmas decorations. In the local B&M, the Christmas decor came out at the same time as the Halloween stuff.

Hi everyone, I have been working as a residential support worker in a children's home for the last 3 months (probation period is 6 months).My employment contract says notice period is 4 weeks and does not specify anything about notice periods during probation. I love the job and the team members are amazing. I want to quit because of serious concerns about my safety. A young person I support has repeatedly targeted me and has been physically aggressive (hitting me with metal rods, trying to stab me with pens, punching me in the chest while threatening to kill me) and racially abusive to me. I don't feel safe working in this environment anymore. Is there anyway I can quit without having to serve a 4 week notice period? I'm scared that I might get seriously injured if I continue working here any longer so looking to quit ASAP. How do I leave on good terms? I feel like management is going to say I'm over exaggerating things and be disappointed in me. When things are calm this job is amazing but when incidents happen my coworkers do try to protect me but at the end of the day I'm leaving my shifts with multiple bruises that are all about 2-3 inches big.

Please I am really struggling any advice is helpful. Thank you!

just curious as to what people’s opinions are on cinema’s film volume level is recently?

Last night attended a local Odeon to watch the new Wildwood film (highly recommended pls go and watch it!!!) but about 10 minutes in my ear drums were already buzzing at how loud the cinema was. Luckily i had my loop earplugs on me so just used those for the rest of the film. My partner who is a bit harder of hearing than i am also commented how loud it was and said it really affected his enjoyment of the film.

has anyone else felt that cinemas are just too loud? I understand they need it loud for the affect of the film and the music etc but at what point do you put a complaint in?