New national guidance reinforces Energize STW’s vision to help people move more every day

News from our partners

People across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin are being encouraged to build more movement into everyday life, following updated physical activity guidance from the UK Chief Medical Officers.

Exercising outdoors

The refreshed guidance, published on 10 July, confirms that any regular movement can support better physical and mental health. It places renewed emphasis on sitting less, moving more throughout the day, and maintaining strength and balance at every stage of life.

The message is simple: any movement is better than none. Walking or wheeling to the shops, taking the stairs, gardening, dancing, active play and everyday household tasks can all help people become healthier and more active.

The UK Chief Medical Officers said:

“Evidence continues to show that if physical activity were a drug, we would refer to it as a miracle cure, due to the great many illnesses it can prevent or treat. It is now clear that even small amounts of physical activity produce important benefits compared to none, and the benefits steadily increase up to the recommended 150 minutes a week.”

For Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, the updated guidance reflects the approach already being taken locally. Energize STW works with communities, schools, health and care partners, local councils and organisations to make movement a part of everyday life.

Local work bringing the guidance to life

Across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Energize STW is helping people build movement into their routines through programmes and partnerships that support all ages and abilities.

Examples include:

• Training social care professionals to talk with adults about strength, balance and activity options through Get Yourself Active, helping embed movement into local Adult Social Care systems.
• Delivering Elevate, an evidence-based strength and balance falls prevention programme for people aged 60 and over in Shropshire. Recent results show following the 20-week programme, 92% of participants improved their strength and balance and 88% reported reduced social isolation.
• Supporting healthcare professionals to build more movement into care settings, including work linked to national movements such as End PJ Paralysis.
• Connecting residents with local activities and nature-based opportunities through Green Social Prescribing.
• Supporting place-based approaches in Donnington and Telford & Wrekin to create local opportunities, share information and reduce residents’ barriers to getting involved.
• Working with schools through Creating Active Schools, School Games, Active Agenda and Parkrun Primary to help children and young people move more during and beyond the school day.
• Supporting community-led initiatives that help people become active in ways that suit their lives and circumstances.

Pete Ezard, Chief Executive of Energize STW, said:

“At Energize STW, we work with partners across communities, education, health and social care, and local councils to make movement part of everyday life. We support children to move more, help older adults improve their strength and balance, create opportunities for people to connect with nature, and work with organisations to embed movement into local systems. Our goal is simple: to help more people live healthier, happier and more active lives.”

Strength and balance: Jane’s story

The updated guidance highlights the importance of strength and balance throughout life. Energize STW’s Elevate programme is already helping older adults build confidence, stay independent and improve their quality of life through regular movement. Jane, a Shropshire resident, experienced first-hand how building strength and balance can transform everyday life. Before joining Elevate, she rarely left home to go shopping or use local services. She had contact with other people less than twice a week and had little confidence walking on uneven ground, getting out of a chair or using stairs without support. After completing the 20-week programme, Jane improved her strength and balance assessment scores by 63%. She was shopping independently, taking part in hobbies and socialising regularly. She also reported greater confidence with everyday activities such as housework, shopping and walking outdoors. Jane said: “I am overwhelmed by the progress I have made. The course and tutoring were first class. I am now ready to live my life.”

Embedding movement into local systems

Energize STW is also supporting partners to make movement part of everyday conversations and services. Movement is now included in adult social care assessments in Telford & Wrekin following training delivered to 123 social care professionals in the borough and a further 123 in Shropshire earlier this year.

Find out more

Learn more about how Energize STW supports active lives across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin at www.energizestw.org.uk/

Further information about Energize STW’s work is available online:

Communities: www.energizestw.org.uk/communities

Education: www.energizestw.org.uk/education

Health and Social Care: www.energizestw.org.uk/health

Editor’s notes:

For more information please contact:

Nikita Whitfield

Programme Manager – Marketing and Communications,

Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Nikita.Whitfield@energizestw.org.uk

Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

We are a local charity and one of 42 organisations within the Active Partnerships network who work collaboratively with national and local partners to support as many people as possible to have an active lifestyle. We work with partners and local organisations within health and social care, education and community sectors to tackle inequalities, embed sustainable initiatives and ultimately try to create long-term system change. The change we want to see is that activity and the opportunity for an active lifestyle is a real possibility for everyone. You can find out more about us at www.energizestw.org.uk.