Published on: 18,Sep 2024

Millions more moving is our first policy report on how we can tackle inactivity by supporting people with long-term conditions to move. In this blog series, colleagues working in different areas of health and physical activity will be discussing themes central to the three policy ‘shifts’ the report calls for: leadership and accountability, movement embedded in healthcare, and movement as part of everyday life.

 

Jat Sharma, We Are Undefeatable storyteller

 

It took a campaign by We Are Undefeatable for me to see that incorporating movement into my daily lifestyle could not only be rewarding mentally and physically, but also so accessible. Movement did not have to be taxing or expensive, as we are led to believe.

 

As an asthma sufferer and a carer for a parent who has a learning disability with a diagnosis of dystonia and osteoporosis, I know the challenges of caring and taking time for self-care.

 

Where we have an awareness of sexual and mental health, and following recent conversations around dietary health, we have somewhat ignored the benefits of movement. It can bring positive benefits to a wide range of health-related issues and the positive health outcomes associated therein. Movement is often seen as an age restricted activity with healthcare professionals advising older age groups to be “careful” when partaking.

 

The report “Millions more moving” is a much-needed step in the right direction. It highlights not only the importance of having a multi-agency approach to getting the nation moving, but also the long-term gains to be had should its recommendations be incorporated into health and care policy.

 

I would especially be supportive of social care budgets, primary care networks and the Department of Health and Social Care aligning themselves with a proactive approach of providing outlets, subsidies and avenues to get adults with long-term health conditions to incorporate movement into their daily lives. They should also recognise that physical movement is as much vital in living a longer and healthier life as diet alone.

 

There is evidence that suggests there are barriers to accessing facilities and information for people from varying ethnic, socioeconomic and geographical backgrounds within the UK. I think it would be useful to know more about these barriers so that those in a position to make change have a deeper understanding of how facilities, information and awareness campaigns can get to those hard-to-reach groups.

 

There’s now a recognition of a lack of awareness of the benefits of movement and the need for further training to ensure healthcare professionals, where possible, are signposting service users to facilities. I think it would be vital henceforth to have a government strategy to allow funding to be directed to   communities to build, maintain and achieve health goals. This would have a far reaching and positive outcome to these immediate communities and the nation as a whole.

 

We do have a health crisis and with an aging population living far longer than ever before, it’s absolutely imperative we begin making the nation aware of what they can do to be in control of their health and live a happier & fuller life.

 

We have to do this together and this report shows ultimately that.