Since launching in 2021, Move Together has reached over 16,000 residents across Oxfordshire.

Whether helping with mental health, managing long-term physical health conditions, or incorporating activity for pregnant and postnatal women, Move Together has supported residents to move more and make positive changes to a healthy and active lifestyle.

Embedding activity into healthcare

Move Together participants, on average, have increased their weekly activity by 236 minutes, or 3,370 steps per day – the equivalent of walking the world's tallest building three times over.

In addition, our Physical Activity Clinical Champion (PACC) workforce training has provided 936 healthcare professions with the tools and confidence to promote and prescribe physical activity to patients. This work is part of a whole system approach to embedding physical activity into healthcare provision and aims to improve patient care and outcomes.

Transforming lives through movement

We have heard some amazing stories from Move Together participants and how the pathway has impacted their lives, giving them the confidence to not only recognise their own ability, but to make the steps towards an independent and healthy lifestyle.

Recently, one participant, who was referred to Move Together by her GP, shared her story on making the first steps in a life changing journey:

"I really don't think that I would be here without you: Move Together reached out to me where I was and helped, encouraged and directed me and I had really, really needed that as I had felt so isolated, afraid and lost - and unfit."

From there, she accessed support at her local leisure centre, taking part in fitness classes and badminton sessions, before using her newfound confidence to get out and walking in her local area – but she didn't stop there.

"My biggest achievement was that in the summer I trekked to the summit of Snowdon. My son had really wanted to go and it had once been something that I'd wished to do [...] although since my diagnosis and since I had lost fitness it was something that I felt that I'd never be able to do.

We ascended Snowdon in the mist, reached the very windy and cold summit, then came down to clear skies and beautiful views. It was amazing. Ascending Snowdon meant so much to me and so much to my son; […] it is a memory that I shall not ever forget, and an experience which I can reflect on when I think that I can't do something."

The impact the pathway has had on this participant and so many others is truly inspiring, and the benefits are felt beyond individuals too. In 2024-25, participants reported 43% fewer GP appointments as a result of increasing activity, equating to 4 GP appointments per person per year.

Physical activity plays an important role in managing and preventing long-term conditions by empowering individuals to improve their health, helping to reduce the burden on healthcare. We're proud to see how Move Together acts as an essential method in prevention.

These figures, and the uplifting stories behind them, reaffirm the holistic benefits of the Move Together pathway, and in turn our pride in what we do. This work would not be possible without the unwavering support of Oxfordshire County Council Public Health and BOB Integrated Care Board, Oxfordshire's city and district councils, and all the amazing organisations and Move Together coordinators providing the support to residents. Find out more about Move Together here.