Physical activity can have a transformative impact on the lives of people, including their health and wellbeing.

In Gloucestershire, 23.2% of people are inactive and a further 13% are only fairly active, meaning over 30% of the Gloucestershire population are not meeting the recommended amount of exercise per week.

There are many reasons why someone may be inactive, such as:

- Don’t always know the importance and range of benefits physical activity has on their health and wellbeing

- Lack of motivation

- Having the time

- Financial constraints

- They feel unable to get active due to their age or ability

We can move is not simply another health campaign – we can move is a social movement of people committed to getting Gloucestershire physically active.

Organisations, community groups, activity providers and individuals work together to help others get active.

We all have the common goal to remove these barriers where we can,  tackle inequalities and encourage more people to enjoy an active life. We want to create a county where it is normal and easy to be active. 

So what is the role of we can move?

Support the individual

(behaviour-change-based insights & interventions)

What gets in the way of the least active people becoming more active? What will motivate them to start their journey? We can’t assume we know – we must get out, start a conversation, and use tested methods to gain insights into the things that will really change people’s behaviour.

We run a number of campaigns to help people who are inactive, get active. If you would like support to get active, sign up to the we can move newsletter to get information on activities available across the county, inspiration from others and some top tips on how to make physical activity part of your day.

Build the community

(our social movement)

The next circle of support and motivation is the community we live in. Friends and family are vital. But so are schools, employers, religious organisations, neighbourhood groups, social clubs, charities. In fact, anyone who influences the way we think and feel. They will become a movement of people and organisations who want to make being active a normal part of everyday life.

If you are part of one of these groups, please join the movement and help get people active. By joining the movement, you will get advice and support from Active Gloucestershire as well as access to training and resources to help you support others to get active.

Change the world around us 

(whole-systems change)

The help we offer the least active people must be underpinned by the world around them. We must create a world where our workplaces don’t force us to sit still all day. Where we learn in ways that keep us moving. Where our local travel options encourage us to get out and about and walk rather than drive.

The we can move movement will press for real-world changes that will turn Gloucestershire into a place where being active is the easy choice.

So far, the movement is supported by 43 organisations including Gloucestershire County Council, the six district councils across Gloucestershire as well as key health organisations such as Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. See the full list here.

We can move is included in multiple county-wide strategies which aim towards getting people active.

Inspiring stories of people making real changes to physical activity from all over Gloucestershire.