LiveWire backs Sport England’s #WeAreUndefeatable campaign
LiveWire is backing a new Sport England campaign aimed at highlighting the benefits of exercise for people managing long-term health conditions.
The campaign, #WeAreUndefeatable, is aimed at the 28% of the population with long-term conditions such as asthma, arthritis, dementia, Multiple Sclerosis and cancer, and runs until Sunday 13th October.
It is Sport England’s biggest ever collaborative campaign and is being run in partnership with multiple charities including British Heart Foundation, Macmillian, Age UK, Mind, Stroke Association and Alzheimer’s Society.
The campaign is launching because people living with long-term physical and mental health conditions are twice as likely to be inactive as those without such conditions.
#WeAreUndefeatable is challenging misconceptions surrounding exercise and long-term conditions such as the following:
- ‘Exercise will make things worse’
- ‘Specialist advice is needed’
- ‘Condition-specific exercise is required’
- ‘Rest is best’
Alongside specialist classes especially designed for specific long-term conditions such as dementia and cardiac and cancer rehabilitation, LiveWire is encouraging people to get moving in any way they can – with its Leisure and Lifestyles teams always on hand to offer advice and encouragement to people looking to start exercising more.
Neil Morley, Senior LiveWire Advisor, said: “Starting to exercise or returning to exercise can be daunting especially if you haven’t done much exercise before and you are managing a health condition. Here at LiveWire we can guide you in becoming more active with the right type of exercise for you. From living with arthritis, a recent diagnosis of cancer or breathing problems, we can advise on the best type of exercise for you.”
Ian Hall-Dixon, 71, from Great Sankey, has asthma and high blood pressure, and has been exercising regularly with LiveWire at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub for around 4 years.
Mr Hall-Dixon believes regular exercise has certainly made a positive impact on his health and wellbeing. He said: “The physical decline that occurs from accepting a sedentary lifestyle, as a result of health problems, can be held at bay in an enjoyable manner by regular weekly exercise sessions. There is also an enjoyable social interaction at the weekly sessions between people with similar health issues – I’m sure this adds to the sense of wellbeing too.”
Christine Royle, 78, from Woolston has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and enjoys regular Tai Chi and pulmonary rehab classes with LiveWire. She said: “I find exercise helps keep my airways open, enabling me to carry on as normal. My advice to other people living with similar long-term conditions would be ‘do not hesitate, go for it!’ when it comes to exercising.”
For more information on #WeAreUndefeatable visit www. https://www.weareundefeatable.co.uk/. For information on LiveWire’s Lifestyles team and the services and support offered please visit www.livewirewarrington.co.uk/lifestyle
