We Are Undefeatable: Brighton Campaign Shares Local Stories of Moving More With a Health Condition
Local resident Eugene, who attends a weekly class in Moulsecoomb. Image: Brighton & Hove City Council
Two years ago, a 72-year-old Brighton resident with osteoporosis walked into an exercise class in Moulsecoomb where he knew nobody, and he is still going every week. His story is the first in a two-month We Are Undefeatable campaign from Brighton and Hove City Council and Active Sussex, delivered with local NHS, community and voluntary sector partners to encourage people with long-term health conditions to move more in ways that work for them.
We Are Undefeatable is a national campaign, developed by 15 health and social care charities with National Lottery funding from Sport England. Brighton and Hove's local version launched on Monday 8 September, when more than 65 people from the NHS, community and voluntary organisations and Active Sussex heard six local storytellers describe staying active with conditions including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis. The council says further stories will be released over the next two months, and a second resident, Esther, also features in the campaign's case study photos.
Eugene's story: ‘It's never too late to take the first step’
After Eugene was diagnosed with osteoporosis, he wanted to stay strong, independent and active. He had seen how reduced mobility affected his mother later in life, which made looking after his own strength and balance a priority.
“I had to look after my mother who wasn’t able to look after herself and I realised, seeing her diagnosis and condition, that strength and balance was something that I had to take on board.”
Eugene, Brighton and Hove resident
Eugene had played badminton for many years, but as his condition progressed he could no longer play at the same level. He went along to an open day at King Alfred Sports Centre, where a member of the team suggested a session in Moulsecoomb. The council's account says he arrived nervous and knowing nobody, and that two years later he is still attending the class every week.
The council has also published a video of Eugene telling his story.
Over time, Eugene says he has noticed improvements in his strength and mobility and feels able to do more than when he started. His sister has noticed a change in his posture. He also describes the social side of the class as a big part of what keeps him going.
“I arrived with great trepidation. I didn’t know anybody and it felt like diving in at the deep end.”
“The class is not just about the class. It’s about the social aspect as well.”
“I’ve never regretted attending a session. Never.”
Eugene, Brighton and Hove resident
Local resident Esther taking part in a class. Image: Brighton & Hove City Council
The campaign supports the city's Let's Get Moving strategy, which runs from 2024 to 2034 and aims to help everyone in Brighton and Hove move more, live well and be healthy. Active Sussex says the strategy focuses on the people who face the biggest barriers to movement, physical activity and sport. It follows the council's year-long Move more, live more campaign, launched on 2 February, which promotes small amounts of everyday movement over fitness targets.
“We know that living with a long-term health condition can make it harder to be active, but even small amounts of movement can make a real difference to physical and mental wellbeing.”
Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care
“By working together across the city, we can help tackle inequalities, build confidence, and find ways to move that work for the individual.”
Ross Joannides, Strategic Relationship Manager at Active Sussex
Where to start if you live with a health condition
The council says the campaign is not about intense exercise: small amounts of activity can make a difference, and what matters is finding what works for you. Its being active with a health condition page brings the local options together. The city's Ageing Well Festival, which runs until Friday 9 October with more than 130 events, included a We Are Undefeatable storytelling event on Tuesday 29 September. Tap a group below to open it.
Local classes and leisure centres
3 options · Moulsecoomb, strength and balance, health referral
Trust for Developing Communities (TDC)
The organisation's website lists local classes in Moulsecoomb, where Eugene attends.
Strength and balance classes
The Ageing Well website has a page of strength and balance classes.
Freedom Leisure health referral programme
Your GP, nurse, physiotherapist or another healthcare professional may be able to refer you to the programme, which offers discounted access to gyms, swimming and exercise classes, plus one-to-one support from a qualified exercise referral instructor.
Support for bones, joints and pain
2 options · osteoporosis group, Sussex MSK Health
Brighton and Hove Osteoporosis Support Group
Brighton and Hove has a local osteoporosis support group, listed on the Royal Osteoporosis Society's website.
Sussex MSK Health
For muscle, bone, joint and back pain, the service covers physiotherapy, pain management and self-referral.
Online tools and advice
2 options · national campaign website and app, Moving Medicine
We Are Undefeatable
The national campaign's website has practical tips for being active with a health condition, from arthritis and asthma to cancer, dementia, diabetes, Parkinson's and stroke.
Moving Medicine
Expert information about physical activity from healthcare professionals.
You can read the council's own write-ups of Eugene's story and the campaign launch on its website.
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