Be part of our healthcare research project
Activity Alliance is exploring the role of healthcare professionals in supporting disabled people to be physically active and needs your input.
We want to hear your thoughts on how healthcare professionals can encourage disabled people to do more physical activities.
We are working with Better Decisions Together on a research project about the role of healthcare professionals in disabled people’s physical activity levels, health, and wellbeing. By taking part, you will help shape a larger research project on the topic and contribute to our ongoing efforts in healthcare and wellbeing.
We want to hear from disabled and neurodivergent people, and those with learning difficulties or long-term health conditions. Your insights matter.
People can participate in two ways:
- Join a Zoom focus group on 22 August (10:00-12:30) or 24 August (18:00-20:30).
- Take part in a one hour interview.
You don’t need to know anything about healthcare or Activity Alliance to take part – your perspective and lived experience will be immensely valuable. Plus, you'll get £40 as a thank you.
If you (or someone you know) would like to take part, sign-up by 13 August by clicking on this link.
We will choose 16 people to take part, using the information you provide in the form to make sure we speak to different types of people.
Activity Alliance has identified a need for the health sector and sport and physical activity sector to work in partnership to support disabled people to be physically active, including promoting physical activity as safe and suitable for disabled people.
According to the 2022-23 survey Annual Disability and Activity Survey healthcare professionals remain the preferred source of advice about being active. Also, the top motivations to be active, for disabled people, are consistently related to health:
- Improving or maintaining physical health (64%).
- To lose or maintain weight (48%).
- To improve or maintain mental health (45%).
- To get fit (41%).
Key messages from the 2022-23 survey outlines that motivations, barriers and preferences for advice are consistently related to health and healthcare professionals. We are aiming to increase an evidence base, work with and influence the health sector, and have a greater impact on disabled people’s activity levels and health.
Healthcare professionals clearly have a role and potential to positively impact disabled people’s physical activity levels, health and wellbeing. Yet this role needs to be explored, defined and clarified, from the perspective of healthcare professionals and disabled people.
