YouMove is making a huge difference to helping families enjoy being active together. Since launching in June 2022, 4,850 individuals are now taking part across the county.

Many Oxfordshire families have been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis and the mental health and wellbeing of Oxfordshire's children and young people is of real concern. Right now, families are struggling to put food on the table and pay the bills. Faced with increasingly difficult choices, staying active is unfortunately not easy for many people.

But staying physically active is hugely beneficial to both mental and physical health. That's why YouMove was launched in June 2022, to help families with children on benefit related free school meals to access low cost and free activities to enjoy together.

One participant said; "We have been advised to get active by the doctors and with YouMove we have been able to do so. I now go to the gym regularly, 3 times a week and I take the children swimming once a week."

YouMove is funded by Oxfordshire County Council Public Health and co-ordinated by Active Oxfordshire, in partnership with district councils who work closely with families to help them connect to different activities. Active Oxfordshire's mission is to increase activity levels, challenge health inequalities and create a happier, healthier and more active Oxfordshire, and YouMove was created to ensure every family has the same opportunity for an active life.

By signing up to YouMove, local families benefit from low cost or free fun activities including swimming, badminton, tennis, activity packs and a wide range of community activities near to where they live. As well as being able to enjoy being active together, families are also supported by local Activators in each district who will provide lots of advice and guidance about what's on offer.

YouMove builds on the fantastic work of Cherwell District Council's FAST Programme and is set to make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of Oxfordshire's children in greatest need, and their families.

Find out more and sign up here.