Erewash Borough Council-led initiative ‘All Move in Erewash’ (AMiE) has helped residents with long-term health conditions become more active, a report has shown.
AMiE has already helped people like Stephen who suffered a spine injury but started taking part in a gentle walk at Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston after it was recommended by a social prescriber. Social prescribers connect people to local activities, groups, and services in their community to support their health and wellbeing. He was sceptical it would help but managed to complete one painful lap. The small win motivated him to return each week, and he steadily increased his distance while gaining strength, confidence and a sense of community.
The initiative also supported Nikki Hall, who was born with Hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – a rare genetic condition which affects the connective tissue of joints, leading to severe pain and fatigue. A former nurse, she kept active to help manage her condition by doing voluntary work – and co-founded a walking group for others living with long-term health conditions, called Sofa to Stroll+, which encourages gentle exercise.
For people like Stephen and Nikki who live with long term conditions, fluctuating pain and energy levels become part of daily life. Uncertainty, fear and lack of confidence are amongst the difficulties they can face in being active. Over the last 18 months AMiE has been helping to tackle these barriers, and an Impact and Learning report has highlighted insights and successes from the project’s ongoing work.
Councillor Josy Hare, the council’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Listening to people living with a limiting illness, long-term condition or disability is key to making everyday movement more accessible and fairer for everyone. The report, which has been created thanks to the voices of our residents, has provided more insight into how we can achieve this vision in our borough. I look forward to seeing a positive impact from the key recommendations that were brought forward through the report.”
The full report is accompanied by a summary report and a video to help share the learnings drawn from the project. Key recommendations have also been included, providing clear actions to help improve the health and wellbeing of residents in Erewash.
More information about All Move in Erewash, including the Impact and Learning report, can be found at www.erewash.gov.uk/amie
Dawn Hughes, from Activity Alliance, the national charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity, said: “Being involved in AMiE has given us a real and deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities for place-based working to get those with long term conditions active.”
