Key speakers share mental health support in Activity Alliance webinar
In the latest Activity Alliance online event we were joined by Deafblind UK, Mind and Boccia England to discuss how physical activity can help to improve disabled people’s mental wellbeing.
Our Annual Disability and Activity Survey (ADAS) showed for many disabled people mental wellbeing is worse than ever. Since the pandemic, nearly half (46%) say they are less able to be active due to changes to their mental health. 61% say they feel more socially isolated. These figures are stark, something that has been noted by organisations across the country.
Loneliness levels are also increasing among disabled people, with disabled people nearly three times more likely to report feeling lonely ‘often’ or ‘always’ (23% vs 8% of non-disabled people). However, nearly two-thirds of disabled people who felt lonely agreed that being active could help them feel less lonely.
To discuss these findings Activity Alliance held a webinar alongside Mind, Deafblind UK and Boccia England. The hour-long session saw more than 150 people presented with leading insight from a range of contributors.
Amanda Easton, Emotional & Wellbeing Coordinator at Deaflblind UK, shared resources to support Deafblindness in the UK.
Whilst Sam Perks, Physical Activity Operations Manager at Mind, provided a range of resources around sport, physical activity and mental health. The national charity provide a range of courses including a Health Awareness for Sport and Physical Activity eLearning course.
Boccia England’s Development Officer George Bollands spoke about the positive impact of boccia. The National Governing Body for the sport in England have created a wellbeing toolkit. He also shared a powerful video on the positive impact boccia has has in many people's lives that you can watch below.
The Positive Impact of Boccia Video
The webinar was part of our ongoing series looking at themes found by our leading ADAS research. The next will take place on 6 November 2023 and will focus on how the cost of living has affected disabled people in sport and physical activity. Registrations will open soon and will be advertised on our webite and social media channels.
