National Fitness Day – 'Your health is for life'
National Fitness Day 2023 will take place on Wednesday 20 September and is a chance to highlight the role physical activity plays across the UK. It will help to raise awareness of its importance in assisting the nation to lead healthier lifestyles.
Led by ukactive, this year there is a shift in focus. Bringing people together through physical activity on National Fitness Day has a hugely positive impact. But this year they are encouraging everyone to view this day as just one step in a much bigger journey. Because your health is for life.
This year’s theme, 'Your Health is for Life', is encouraging people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to recognise and celebrate the life-long physical and mental benefits of being active.
National Fitness Day is an opportunity to showcase the many benefits of sport and activity. It also gives us the chance to highlight that full and equal access to opportunities are still not available for many.
As the leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity we know the power of being active. We want to create a fairer society for everyone. A place where everyone can be active however and wherever they want to be.
Our latest Annual Disability and Activity Survey showed that disabled people were more likely to say they wanted to be more active compared to non-disabled people. This "activity gap" has remained consistent in previous years, showing an ongoing unmet need. It also showed that six in ten disabled people also reported that the increase in cost of living has reduced how much they socialise.
The power of sport and physical activity was also highlighted in findings around loneliness. Disabled people are nearly three times more likely than non-disabled people to feel lonely always or often. With nearly two-thirds of disabled people who felt lonely agreeing that being active could help them feel less lonely.
Delivering an Excellent Service for Disabled Customers
There isn’t only one way to engage disabled people. What really matters is that your processes are fully inclusive and accessible. Especially when it comes to providing good customer service to disabled people.
Research tells us that more than eight in 10 disabled customers have taken their business elsewhere after experiencing poor customer care. If disabled people are to be given the same opportunities to be active as their non-disabled peers inclusive customer training is key.
This is where our Delivering an Excellent Service for Disabled Customers eLearning course comes in. Staff training and workforce development is extremely valuable in becoming an inclusive facility. Find out more about our customer service training.
Get Out Get Active
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is a programme that supports disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. Activity Alliance is the creator and lead partner. The programme is funded by Spirit of 2012, Sport England and London Marathon Foundation.
Elaine is one of the 160,000 people it has reached since its inception in 2016. She has ignited a passion for bowls with team sports being something she never imagined as possible due to living with Kyphoscoliosis.
She always wanted to be a part of team sports but didn’t think it would be possible. So, she decided to contact GOGA to ask about opportunities. She said, "I can remember being shocked when they replied to my email asking me what I would like to do. I was so used to being told what I could and could not do."
Elaine’s story sums up the incredible impact that GOGA has had across the UK. Creating a place where disabled and non-disabled people can come together to be active.
Find out more about Get Out Get Active programme.
On National Fitness Day it is vital that we come together to recognise the importance of fairness for disabled people in sport and physical activity. Find out more about Activity Alliance's work.
