Active Oxfordshire and district councils launch Move Together, a new countywide pathway supporting people hit hardest by COVID-19 to transform their lives through the power of movement and physical activity
Active Oxfordshire is delighted to be working with district councils across Oxfordshire to launch a brand-new pathway known as Move Together, which will support people whose physical and mental health has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 to move more and protect their health and well-being.
Through close partnership working with district councils, health partners and the voluntary sector, it was clear that thousands of people across Oxfordshire were experiencing worsening physical or mental health as a result of COVID-19, with particular concern for people living with long-term health conditions, older people, disabled people and those shielding at home.
The opportunity for Move Together came from discussions at Oxfordshire County Council meetings, where it was recognised that physical activity could play a significant role in supporting Oxfordshire’s COVID-19 recovery and resilience. From there, a collaborative proposal was developed by Active Oxfordshire with district councils to provide a personalised pathway into physical activity for people most affected by the pandemic.
Move Together received £362,975 from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund in March 2021 awarded by Oxfordshire County Council, representing a significant milestone in investment for physical activity and acknowledgment of the difference that moving more can make.
The Move Together pathway is underpinned by a behavioural approach, with local physical activity specialists supporting and empowering their local residents into moving more as a result of an individualised, person-centred approach. Through the personalised support, advice and motivation, they will explore and identify opportunities to find out about activities in their community, condition specific exercises, walking groups or information about moving more at home. The support will be delivered by District Co-ordinators in line with COVID-19 safe guidance.
An external evaluator has been engaged to provide the critical on-going learning and evaluation, aiming to ultimately embed a sustained pathway. The pathway implementation and development will be informed by the behavioural insights gathered of our vulnerable population as well as the stakeholders, to truly inform system change and improve our communities’ health.
Annie Holden, Strategic Health Relationship Manager at Active Oxfordshire, says:
Move Together is a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with district councils and a wide range of referring organisations to reach people whose health and wellbeing has been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By providing personalised support tailored to each individual’s needs, we can help vulnerable people to move more and improve their health and well-being. We are delighted to see this extra investment in physical activity and acknowledgment of the major role that moving more can play in Oxfordshire’s COVID-19 recovery.”
To find out more about Move Together, please visit: https://www.activeoxfordshire.org/move-together