Get Moving

Get Moving aims to improve the health and wellbeing of older Londoners through local activity groups.

Get Moving pilot activities ran from March to July 2016. 16 organisations were chosen from 120 applications to deliver physical, social and creative activities for Londoners over the age of 65. The GLA granted funds of £100,000 in total. Delivery partners contributed mathed funding of not less than 10%.

Projects were selected because they demonstrated fresh and engaging approaches to providing regular physical activity as recommended by the Chief Medical Officer. Every project was required to offer at least 30 hours of activity for participants. Activities were aimed at those who often miss out, including frailer groups, disabled people and BAME communities.

Get Moving aims to:

• support older Londoners to meet the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines on weekly levels of physical activity for older adults (65+) or contribute to maintaining balance, co-ordination and muscle strength – all core attributes for independence and healthy ageing
• include a range of non-traditional sports activities, such as dance and yoga to everyday activities which involve moderate levels of physical activity such as gardening or walking.
• target individuals or groups who currently struggle to take part in regular physical or social activities, especially those who are socially excluded or face challenges getting to activities
• harness the positive power of volunteers as peer motivators, recruiters and facilitators
• encourage ongoing participation beyond Get Moving sessions

6 pilot projects took place during summer 2016 to help older people get active. Projects represented a cross-section of physical activities including dance, martial arts, swimming, walking, community gardening and many more. Lead organisations included GP practices, arts centres, housing associations, care home providers, dance companies, sports and leisure providers and small-scale voluntary and community organisations.

• Active Newham and AT Medics
• Age UK Merton
• All Change
• artsdepot
• Art in the Park
• Bishop Creighton House
• East London Vision
• Entelechy Arts
• Green Candle Dance Company
• Henna Asian Women’s Group
• Leonard Cheshire Disability
• Leyton Orient Trust
• Peabody
• Rambert
• Southall Community Alliance (SCA)
• Sport and Leisure Management Trust/Everyone Active

See the Get Moving grant prospectus for further information about this grants programme and selection criteria. Over 120 grant applications were received and a portfolio of 16 projects selected which represent a cross section of providers, activities and locations in Greater London.

A research partnership with CIRCLE (Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities) at University of Sheffield explored the extent to which interventions incorporate physical activity, social interaction and cultural/creative elements on the functional ability and well-being of participants through a two stage survey and range of stakeholder interviews. We will publish these results in mid-December 2016.