A national movement which encourages people with long-term health conditions to stay active has been launched in an East Lancashire borough.

The ‘We Are Undefeatable’ movement, which has been launched in Blackburn with Darwen, supports people with a range of health conditions and was developed by 15 leading health and social care charities and backed by National Lottery funding from Sport England.

The campaign brings together partners who reach people living with: Arthritis, some long-term limiting mobility conditions, Alzheimer’s, asthma, back pain, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/lung condition, dementia, heart disease, stroke, hypertension (or other heart-related conditions), long-term depression or anxiety, MS, Parkinson’s, Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

The campaign also hopes to inspire those living with other conditions who can be more active, beyond those listed above.

The local We are Undefeatable campaign is a partnership between Together an Active Future, Blackburn with Darwen Council, and a wide range of local partners and voluntary organisations.

The campaign was launched at Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park, home to Blackburn Rovers and was attended by more than 70 people, representing a wide range of organisations across the borough and some of the local campaign storytellers, who shared their experiences and personal stories with the audience.

Zoe is a young stroke survivor, having suffered a stroke just under three years ago, which left her with balance and sensory issues and made day-to-day movement extremely difficult.

Through small steps and building up her activity levels, she has seen huge improvements in her physical and mental health and also features in the national We Are Undefeatable campaign.

Usman has asthma which led to developing Bronchiectasis which affects the airways of the lungs and leads to coughing, shortness of breath and infections.

He struggles to get up and down stairs and lift heavy objects, but by taking several short walks a day he managed to keep his condition under control.

To watch their videos and to hear the stories of other people helped by the movement, visit the Blackburn with Darwen Council website.

Councillor Brian Taylor, mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I am delighted that Blackburn with Darwen has joined the amazing We Are Undefeatable campaign, and it has been really inspiring to watch the stories of some of the incredible local people involved in the movement.

"They show that you can still live a full life with a long-term condition and really improve your physical and mental wellbeing in both small and big ways.

“I hope by sharing these wonderful stories of local people it will inspire others to contact our local partner organisations and to take that important first step to move more – it can help people manage their conditions better, and the results can be amazing.”