Statistics from charity Active Gloucestershire show that almost one in four people in Gloucestershire are not physically active.
With physical activity offering benefits for both physical and mental health, Active Gloucestershire wants everyone in the county to experience these advantages and to embrace an active lifestyle.
Unfortunately, many people face significant barriers to getting active such as limited access to facilities and inadequate transportation — especially in rural areas.
People on a low income with a lack of social support, health issues, busy lifestyles and safety concerns can also experience lower levels of activity.
Additionally, a lack of awareness and education about the benefits of physical activity and available resources can prevent people from making exercise a regular part of their lives.
We Can Move, Gloucestershire’s social movement dedicated to making physical activity inclusive and accessible, is committed to addressing these challenges.
By bringing together organisations, groups, clubs and individuals from across the public, voluntary and community sectors, Active Gloucestershire and We Can Move aims to remove these barriers and create opportunities for everyone to be active in a way that works for them.
We Can Move changemakers, the passionate individuals driving change across the county, form the backbone of the drive towards generating more activity and creating more opportunities for people to access clubs and groups.
Changemakers work on commissioning, funding, hosting and running activities, or simply motivating local communities.
And Active Gloucestershire would like to bring more on board.
If you already support someone to be active or would like to, Active Gloucestershire invites you to become a We Can Move changemaker.
As a changemaker, you will receive support through a comprehensive programme, which offers free resources, advice and guidance, events, training and development opportunities, networks to connect with like-minded individuals, and support to access funding.
Chief executive at Active Gloucestershire, Tom Beasley, says changemakers are the key to making Gloucestershire more active.
He said: 'Our role is to ensure changemakers have the skills and knowledge needed to help people in Gloucestershire move more and create a county where being physically active is easy, accessible and part of everyone’s lifestyle.
'We are hosting an information and networking event for those who support people in Gloucestershire to get active, to find out more about We Can Move and find out first hand what support is available.
'We hope this event will help grow the movement, enabling us to make our vision of an active county, a reality.'
The event takes place on Friday 25 October 2024 at 10.30am at Benefact House in Brockworth Gloucester. To book your place visit eventbrite.co.uk.
For more information and to become a changemaker, visit wecanmove.net.
