New initiative Every Body Moves to empower disabled to get active
Drawing on the lived experience of people with disabilities across the UK, Every Body Moves is an evolution of the award-winning Parasport powered by Toyota platform, which has grown into the country’s largest online destination, connecting people to thousands of inclusive sport and physical activities.
Every Body Moves was developed thanks to Toyota’s renewed commitment to promoting inclusive sports opportunities.
To start Every Body Moves took today (20 ).
They were joined by Paralympics gold medalists Hannah Cockcroft, Jonnie Peacock and new ParalympicsGB chief executive Dave Clarke.
Clarke said: “Every Body Moves is an exciting initiative that aims to reach out to even more people with disabilities in the UK and promote inclusive sport. I want to thank Toyota for its continued commitment to building on the successes we’ve already made to empower more people with disabilities to do things that are right for them.
Introducing Every Body Moves powered by Toyota.
Be as active as it works for you!
Find inclusive activities for people with disabilities at https://t.co/yaLV6pYzDp#EveryBodyMoves | @ToyotaUK pic.twitter.com/Wwu1LhztYK
— Every body moves (@EveryBodyMoves) March 20, 2023
“People with disabilities tell us that representation is a crucial part of breaking down barriers to participating in physical activity, and that’s why it’s so important that we celebrate the benefits of exercise for every body.”
Cambridge-born Peacock added: “Sport is everything. There’s a social element, there’s the physiological response, you actually get fitter and also the fact that when you exercise you actually get a rush of dopamine.
“Every Body Moves powered by Toyota is all about luck. It’s about getting people excited about the sport and giving everyone something that’s accessible to them.”
The everymoves.org.uk platform offers over 7,000 inclusive sessions and a range of virtual workouts, tips and tricks and has been co-produced with people with disabilities.
It will aim to improve accessibility standards for physical activity lists and put the lived experience of people with disabilities at the center of the program so even more people can enjoy the benefits of more active use.
Cockcroft, the seven-time Halifax Paralympic champion, said the initiative would open up new opportunities for those looking to emulate her unprecedented success.
Cockcroft said: “When I was younger there was nothing like that and I really, really wish there was. I didn’t discover wheelchair racing until I was 15, and as far as the sport is concerned, that’s pretty old – one of my rivals won her first Paralympic medal when she was 15.
“I hope this is a game changer because it definitely would have been for me growing up.”
NEW: According to research, the physical activity levels of people with disabilities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, and they are almost twice as likely to say they cannot find inclusive activities locally.@EveryBodyMoves | @ToyotaUK
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) March 20, 2023
Jake Oakley, Coach of Every Body Moves Club of the Year, Sheffield Steelkings Para Ice Hockey Club said: “There is a sport or activity out there for everyone. Regardless of a person’s age, gender, religion, ethnicity or disability, our message is simple: get out there, find your thing and have fun!”
Sheffield Steelkings, Britain’s largest para ice hockey club, were awarded Club of the Year, personally presented by Steve Burrows, Managing Director of Burrows Toyota, which operates Toyota dealerships in Sheffield, Rotherham and Worksop.
Stuart Sanders, Director Communications and Product, Toyota (UK) commented: “We look forward to our continued partnership with ParalympicsGB in advancing the Parasport platform as Every Body Moves.
“Our relationship with the Olympic and Paralympic Games – the pinnacles of sporting success – is well known, but as part of our mission to achieve better mobility for all, it’s great that this initiative is reaching the grassroots of sport and enabling everyone to enjoying physical activity and mental benefits of physical activity.”
Since the partnership between ParalympicsGB and Toyota began in 2018, the digital hub has expanded, offering thousands of inclusive activities across the UK with more than 650,000 unique website visitors. The program’s success was reflected in the fact that it won a 2022 Sports Industry Award in the Active and Wellbeing category. Grants totaling £500,000 have also been awarded to grassroots organizations through the Toyota Parasport Fund to support integrative care during and after the pandemic.