A targeted weight management programme invites locals to embark on a life-changing health and wellbeing journey.
Wirral Leisure’s brand-new weight management programme, which kicked off earlier this month, offers eligible residents; a six-week course on nutrition and wellness, opportunities for free low impact exercise and information on healthy eating – alongside 12 weeks of free access to leisure centre gyms and swimming pools.
The council-run programme will be delivered by a friendly and experienced team, seeking to empower people to make positive lifestyle changes. The programme will be available across all Wirral’s leisure centres and wards.
Cllr Yvonne Nolan, Chair of Wirral Council’s Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said, “Building a healthy relationship with diet and exercise can massively improve our wellbeing. Sustaining one is often another thing entirely.
“By offering flexible support options that fit with each individual’s lifestyle, this scheme aims to dispel some of the myths that surround nutrition, help people unlearn any negativity around diet and exercise and give participants advice specific to their circumstances – all from trained and qualified professionals.
“I would encourage anybody who is eligible to get in touch and enrol.”
The project will build on learnings from the team’s previous We Are Undefeatable project 
which aimed to break down barriers to exercise for people with long term health conditions.
The programme will run small group sessions for nutrition and wellbeing education and small groups for activity. Participants will have access to a timetable of classes they can book onto, at their own pace, via their classroom tutor.
The scheme is open to those aged 18+ in Wirral who are an unhealthy weight (BMI of 30+ or BMI 28 with other conditions).
There is no upper BMI or upper age limit for individuals accessing the service and people can refer themselves to the programme or be referred by their GP. If you’re unsure of your BMI, you can use this NHS calculator here
As part of the project, Wirral Leisure are working with One Wirral CIC to deliver the programme, called ‘The Wirral Weigh’.
Scott Morgans, Health Coach Coordinator at One Wirral CIC, said, “The Wirral Weigh has been designed to support people during their weight loss journey, helping them manage their health in the long-term.
“The idea is to provide individuals with practical ways to improve their wellbeing, ensuring they understand how diets, nutrition and physical activity influence the process.
“We proud to be working with Wirral Council Leisure Services to help improve the health of residents.”
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, but want to improve your health and change the way you view diet and exercise in a sustainable way, the team encourage you to get in touch.
The project is open to all who meet the eligibility criteria, but the team are also keen to work with men and people from low-income backgrounds who may benefit from the project’s dynamic approach.
If you’re interested in taking part in the programme, please get in touch with the team by emailing them at weightmanagement@wirral.gov.uk or you can call 07917264662.
Main image: Staff from Wirral’s Weight Management team with Lucy Holmes from One Wirral CIC (third from left)
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