Health and Activity Sectors Unite to Support Disabled People to Move More

On Tuesday 3rd March, 35 health professionals from across Hertfordshire came together for a webinar designed to strengthen connections between healthcare services and the disability physical activity sector. The webinar, ‘Supporting Patients with Disabilities to Be More Physically Active’, explored how health professional across the healthcare system can play a greater role in helping disabled people access inclusive physical activity opportunities. To catch up on a recording of this webinar, take a look at the video below.

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The event opened with a keynote from Activity Alliance’s Chloe Brown, who shared research on the crucial role healthcare professionals play in enabling disabled people to be physically active. The session explored common barriers to participation as well as practical ways health professionals can encourage and support inclusive activity. 

Attendees also learned about No Limits 2026, Hertfordshire's Year of Disability Sport & Physical Activity; a yearlong campaign aiming to create more inclusive opportunities for disabled people to be active and to drive long-term, sustainable change across the sport and physical activity sector. No Limits 2026 Ambassador, Kris Aves, joined the webinar to share his personal journey of accessing physical activity as a wheelchair user. He spoke about the transformative impact an inspiring physiotherapist had on his recovery and confidence to try physical activity, ultimately supporting and motivating Kris to return to the golf course using a specialist mobility device. 

Local provision was spotlighted within the webinar, highlighting opportunities available across Hertfordshire, with contributions from Herts Tennis Foundation, Herts Disability Sports Foundation, Hertfordshire County Council Children’s Services and the Moving More Activity Finder. Speakers outlined their programmes that support disabled people to be active and explained how healthcare professionals can signpost or refer patients to these services. 

By bringing together healthcare professionals and local activity providers, the webinar marks an important step in strengthening disabled access into physical activity whilst equipping local health professionals in understanding the power of movement in creating lasting change for disabled patients. 

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Check out the No Limits 2026 webpage for more information and contact z.mckeating@herts.ac.uk to find out more about embedding physically activity into healthcare settings.