How Moving More Helps Us Live Longer, Healthier Lives
We all want to live a long life, but even more importantly, we want to feel well for as much of that life as possible. This is what healthy life expectancy means. It’s the number of years we can expect to live in good health, not just the number of years we live.
Right now, healthy life expectancy in the UK is going down. People are living longer, but spending more of those later years in poor health. The latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that the number of years people live in good health is at its lowest since records began.
Why is this happening?
Government research shows that long‑term health conditions, especially things like heart disease, diabetes and musculoskeletal problems, play a big part. Behaviour such as inactivity, smoking and unhealthy diets also have a strong impact.
People living in more deprived communities are hit the hardest, with far fewer healthy years.
How can physical activity help?
The evidence is clear: moving more is one of the most powerful things we can do for our health.
The NHS shows that being active reduces the risk of major illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, dementia and depression, and can lower the risk of early death by up to 30%.
The World Health Organisation also says that people who are not active enough are 20% more likely to have a lower life span overall.
Even small changes help. A short walk each day can make a real difference to how we feel now – and to our future health.
But it’s not always easy
We know moving more isn’t just about motivation. Many people face barriers like cost, confidence, lack of safe spaces, health conditions or simply not knowing where to start. That’s why support and community matter.
How we’re helping in Gloucestershire
At Active Gloucestershire, we help create the conditions that make it easier for people to be active in ways that suit them.
Through our we can move movement, we work with partners, community groups and local organisations to remove barriers and open up more opportunities for everyday movement.
This includes:
- Supporting programmes that help children and young people build confidence and enjoy being active
- Funding and working with local partners who provide accessible and welcoming activity opportunities
- Helping create environments where walking, cycling, wheeling and everyday movement feel safe and possible for everyone
- Supporting older adults through the Live Longer Better community, helping people stay active, connected and independent
Live Longer Better in Gloucestershire is all about helping people stay active, connected and independent as they get older. It brings together local partners who want to change the way we think about growing older. Instead of accepting decline as inevitable, Live Longer Better focuses on confidence, movement, purpose and community.
Through the programme, older adults can find support to build strength, feel steady on their feet, stay socially connected and enjoy activities that fit their lives. For organisations or individuals who want to help others live well for longer, the network offers a welcoming space to learn, share ideas and make a positive difference.
If you’d like to feel stronger, move more or simply live life with more confidence, take a look at the easy, practical resources on the we can move website.
If you work with older adults, care about healthy ageing, or want to help others live longer better, we’d love you to join the network. Together, we can help more people in Gloucestershire live healthier, happier and more independent lives for longer. For more information, go to Live Longer Better Gloucestershire – We Can Move
Together, we can live longer, healthier, happier lives
Physical activity is a powerful tool but it works best when we support each other, remove barriers and make movement part of everyday life.
That’s exactly what we’re working towards in Gloucestershire – because when moving more becomes possible for everyone, we can all live longer, better.
