Published Tuesday 9 July 2024 at 9:37
We are proud to join the brilliant “We Are Undefeatable” movement – encouraging local people with long-term health conditions to keep active.
“We Are Undefeatable” is a national movement which has now launched in our borough.
Supporting people with a range of long term health conditions, developed by 15 leading health and social care charities and backed by National Lottery funding from Sport England.
It gives incredible support to people and helps them find ways to be active that work for them and their health condition.
Who is the campaign for?
- The campaign brings together partners who reach people living with: Arthritis, some long-term limiting mobility conditions, Alzheimer’s, Asthma, Back pain, Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease/Lung Condition, Dementia, Heart Disease, Stroke, hypertension (or other heart related condition), Long-term depression or anxiety, MS, Parkinson’s, Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
- The campaign also hopes to inspire those living with other conditions who can be more active, beyond those listed above.
- It is important to remember that everybody and how their condition affects them is different and finding the appropriate physical activity for you depends on your own personal circumstance.
The local We are Undefeatable campaign is a partnership between Together an Active Future, Blackburn with Darwen Council, and a wide range of local partners and voluntary organisations.
The campaign was befittingly launched at Ewood Park, home to Blackburn Rovers. The launch event was attended by over 70 people, representing a wide range of organisations across the borough and some of the local campaign storytellers, who shared their experiences and personal stories with the audience.
Zoe is a young stroke survivor, having suffered a stroke just under three years ago, which left her with balance and sensory issues and made day-to-day movement extremely difficult. Through small steps and building up her activity levels, she has seen huge improvements in her physical and mental health and also features in the national We Are Undefeatable campaign.
Usman has asthma which led to developing Bronchiectasis which affects the airways of the lungs and leads to coughing, shortness of breath and infections. He struggles to get up and down stairs and lift heavy objects, but by taking several short walks a day he managed to keep his condition under control.
Chris was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease when he was just 39 years old, By attending ‘Mind 2 Muscle’ he learnt to walk properly again. This enabled him to play walking football and he’s now a member of the England Parkinson’s Football Team!
Ralph has had two heart attacks, a heart bypass and has Type 2 Diabetes which has led to him becoming visually impaired. He loves to swim and walks whenever he can to keep as active as possible.
Being Undefeatable is understanding that how you feel can change from day-to-day, that everybody’s situation is unique, and that moving more when you can is just as important as accepting when you can’t.
Every achievement, no matter how small it might seem to someone else, is worth celebrating.
Councillor Brian Taylor, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwern Council, said:
“I am delighted that Blackburn with Darwen has joined the amazing We Are Undefeatable campaign, and it has been really inspiring to watch the stories of some of the incredible local people involved in the movement. They show that you can still live a full life with a long-term condition and really improve your physical and mental wellbeing in both small and big ways.
“I hope by sharing these wonderful stories of local people it will inspire others to contact our local partner organisations and to take that important first step to move more – it can help people manage their conditions better, and the results can be amazing.”
To find out more, go to: https://weareundefeatable.co.uk/ and https://bewellbwd.com/active-living/
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