Channel 4 Backs Major Campaign To Get Every Body Moving
Every Body Moves and ParalympicsGB have teamed up with Channel 4 to launch a major, on-air campaign to encourage disabled people across the UK to take up a sport and become more active, ahead of the Paris Paralympic Games.
The campaign – which will run across Channel 4 channels from August 28 during the Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony and throughout its extensive coverage of the Games – will drive viewers to the Every Body Moves initiative, a project ran by ParalympicsGB in partnership with Toyota to link disabled people with inclusive opportunities to be active in their local area.
Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics will promote the campaign by featuring an on-screen QR code at least four times a day with guidance on how viewers can use it. Anyone who scans the QR code on a smartphone will be directly to the Every Body Moves website where viewers can find opportunities to be active locally or at home. The screening of the QR code will also be supported by studio discussion about the project and features profiling the work and participants.
On the Every Body Moves portal, visitors can enter their postcode and the site will show a range of inclusive sports and activities in their area.
The site makes it easy for people to identify and try out local groups across a full range of sport and physical activity opportunities, supporting more active lifestyles and also bringing people together, helping mental well-being, and fostering communities. The site includes details of thousands of clubs, activities and events across the UK.
Seven-time Paralympic Champion Hannah Cockroft said: “Campaigns like Every Body Moves are so important because we digest so many things on social media and in the media, but you still don’t see that many disabled people included. You don’t see someone like you. I still visit schools where disabled children are being told they can’t do sport, they can’t take part in P.E. That was what I was told growing up and look what I’ve gone on to achieve. It terrifies me that there are still young people out there being told that, it’s such a damaging narrative.
“Campaigns like Every Body Moves show that everybody can do something. There is a sport or activity that everyone can enjoy. You don’t have to be a Paralympic champion, all that matters is having fun and being active.
Dave Clarke Chief Executive of ParalympicsGB said: “We are delighted to team up with Channel 4 to help get Every Body Moving. The Every Body Moves platform makes it easy for disabled people across the UK to find sports clubs and activities that work for them. We hope we can help support the grass roots sports clubs that have often been the training grounds for our elite Paralympic athletes as well as open up a wealth of activities to all disabled people regardless of their age or abilities…
…Sport and activities don’t just help with our physical health, the support, friendship and sense of community hundreds of groups across the UK offer can make a huge difference to our emotional and mental well-being so I’d urge people to give Every Body Moves a try.”
Channel 4’s Head of Sport Pete Andrews said: “We want to help disabled people of all ages get engaged in and feel the benefit of sport and exercise. The best way to know what local sports clubs and activities are open to you is to input your postcode on ParalympicsGB’s Every Body Moves website.”
Racing driver turned commentator Billy Monger, who will be presenting Channel 4’s Breakfast Show during the Paralympics, said: “Every Body Moves is such a good campaign, it's all about just inclusivity, getting everyone involved in sport. I know what sport’s done for me and how it's helped change my life for the better, I’m hoping it would do the same for more people.
Former rugby player Ed Jackson, who will be presenting athletics coverage from the Paris Paralympics, urged people to take a moment to find out more about Every Body Moves, and said: “Every Body Moves is such an amazing initiative because sport and movement is obviously so important for our physical and mental health. So check out the website, find those local clubs and get involved!”
Channel 4 has been official broadcaster of the Paralympic Games since 2012 which was instrumental in changing public perception around disability and disability sport.
Click here to register your activity or club to the Every Body Moves plarform.