Every Body Moves: ParalympicsGB And Toyota Launches Initiative To Help Disabled People Access Sport

ParalympicsGB and Toyota have announced the launch of the groundbreaking Every Body Moves initiative to empower disabled people to become active in a way that is right for them.

Drawing on the lived experience of disabled people throughout the UK, Every Body Moves is an evolution of the award-winning Parasport powered by the Toyota platform which has grown to become the nation’s largest online destination connecting people with thousands of inclusive sporting and physical activities.

Every Body Moves has been developed thanks to a renewed commitment from Toyota to promote inclusive sporting opportunities. It comes at a time when new research on behalf of ParalympicsGB reveals disabled people’s physical activity levels have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis:

• Disabled people are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people (17% compared to 10%) to say they are unable to find accessible and inclusive activities near them.
• Disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people (30% compared to 15%) to say they are feeling lonelier and more isolated now than before the pandemic and cost of living challenges.
• 82% of disabled people could name at least one reason why taking part in physical activity and or sport is important to them.
• Almost half (48%) of disabled people agreed that being part of an inclusive community involved in physical activity is important to them.

Every Body Moves platform

• The Every Body Moves platform features more than 7,000 inclusive sessions and a range of virtual workouts, hints and tips and has been co-produced with disabled people.
• It will aim to improve accessibility standards for physical activity listings and will place the lived experience of disabled people at the heart of the programme to enable even greater numbers to enjoy the benefits of becoming more active.

• The Every Body Moves launch

• To launch Every Body Moves, more than 150 disabled people took part in a ‘come and try’ session for different sports and activities from archery and dance to wheelchair basketball and table tennis, at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on the 20th March.

They were joined by Paralympic gold medallists Hannah Cockcroft, Jonnie Peacock and new ParalympicsGB chief executive Dave Clarke.

Dave Clarke said: “Every Body Moves is an exciting initiative aiming to connect with even more disabled people across the UK and promote inclusive sports. I would like to thank Toyota for its ongoing commitment to building on the successes we have already achieved to empower more disabled people to become active in a way that is right for them.

Our research demonstrates the importance of this launch given the disproportionate impact of the pandemic and cost of living challenges on the disabled community, which I have experienced first-hand as a disabled person.

Disabled people tell us that representation is a crucial part of breaking down barriers to participation in physical activity and this is why it is so important we celebrate the benefit of movement for Every Body.”

Introducing Every Body Moves powered by Toyota.

Get active in a way that works for you!

Find inclusive activities for disabled people at https://t.co/yaLV6pYzDp#EveryBodyMoves | @ToyotaUK pic.twitter.com/Wwu1LhztYK

— Every Body Moves (@EveryBodyMoves) March 20, 2023

Jonnie Peacock said: “Sport is everything. There’s a social element, there is the physiological response, you’re actually getting fitter and also the fact that you actually get a rush of dopamine when you move.

Every Body Moves powered by Toyota is just about happiness. It’s about getting people involved in sport and offering everyone something accessible to them.”

Seven-time Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft said: “There was nothing like this when I was younger and I really, really wish there was. I didn’t find wheelchair racing until I was 15 years old and in terms of the sport, that’s quite old – one of my rivals won her first-ever Paralympic medal at 15.

I hope that this is a game-changer because it would have been for me growing up, definitely.”

Jake Oakley, a coach with Every Body Moves Club of the Year, the Sheffield Steelkings Para Ice Hockey Club, said:
“We are proud and excited to be involved in the Every Body Moves campaign. We know from experience that sports and physical activity can play a pivotal role in transforming wellbeing, building friendships and boosting confidence.

There is a sport or activity out there for everyone. No matter a person’s age, gender, religion, ethnicity or impairment – our message is simple, get out there, find your thing and have fun!”

ParalympicsGB’s partnership with Toyota

Since the partnership between ParalympicsGB and Toyota started in 2018, the digital hub has expanded to feature thousands of inclusive activities across the UK, with more than 650,000 unique website visitors.

The programme’s success was reflected in winning a 2022 Sports Industry Award in the Active and Wellbeing category. Grants totalling £500,000 were also awarded via the Toyota Parasport fund to grassroots organisations to support inclusive provision during and post-pandemic.

Stuart Sanders, Director of Communications and Product, Toyota (GB) commented: “We’re looking forward to our continued partnership with ParalympicsGB in evolving the Parasport platform as Every Body Moves. Our relationship with the Olympics and Paralympics – 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 will reach the grassroots of sports, enabling everyone to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of physical activity.”

Check out the Every Body Moves platform and discover an accessible and inclusive way to keep fit and active.

Do you enjoy taking part in sports or physical activities? Has this new initiative inspired you to take up a new sport or physical activity? Let us know in the comments box or on social media.