Sustaining success: transforming lives and fostering community support

A group of people who have reaped the benefits of Wellbeing for Life’s group Eatwise programme have decided to keep meeting each week to continue their support of one another.

During the twelve-week programme which focuses on supporting long term lifestyle change, every member of the group lost weight and has continued to lose or maintain since. The ongoing success highlights that the lifestyle changes made during the programme are sustainable long-term.

One member commented: “I realised I didn’t know as much as I thought. It has been a learning process about food groups, portion sizes, reading food labels and making simple swaps rather than doing without.”

Asked about how supportive the group had been, one member said: “I’m really pleased I changed from having telephone appointments to attending a group, I feel I have got so much more from the programme. Telephone appointments were good, but I just put the phone down after and didn’t really do much. Being part of the group has given me the motivation to make better choices, become healthier and now I have lost a stone in weight, feel better and my trousers are looser.”

Another said: “We found the support of the group and the WBFL practitioners invaluable, so much so that we have continued to meet each week.”

WBFL have committed to joining the group at The Cornforth Partnership on the first Monday of every month to carry out weight checks and offer support. These drop-in sessions will also be open to the wider community.

Members of the group have increased their activity levels and made use of the free community gym close to the Cornforth Partnership. They also enjoy the weekly Walk and Talk sessions run by the centre. Many of the group also volunteer at The Bread and Butter Thing in the afternoon following their session.

Tina Irving, Wellbeing for Life Practitioner said: “Everyone has been amazing from start to finish and suggested that they would like to continue meeting, I know some of the clients get more out of the sessions than just healthy eating. Two of the group have recently moved to the area and have enjoyed meeting new people from the community.

“Everyone who attended has lost weight, made healthy changes to their diet and increased their activity. Some have also reduced their blood sugar levels and are now out of the prediabetic stage. Other benefits noted by the group are lowered cholesterol, improved mobility and changed shopping habits. They have been a great group to work with.”

Ashleigh from the Cornforth Partnership said: “The outcome of these sessions has been fantastic, well done to all. The group have really enjoyed the service and the benefits have been motivational and life changing for them, so we were delighted to hear that they want to continue meeting. We have identified a weekly slot in the diary to facilitate this. The whole group have spoken highly of Tina and Nikki from Wellbeing for Life and have thoroughly enjoyed every session.”

For more information about Wellbeing for Life, contact the team on 0800 876 6887, email cdda-tr.wbfl@nhs.net or visit the website at www.yourwellbeingservices.uk.

Wellbeing for Life is a part of Adult Wellbeing Services, delivered in partnership by Pioneering Care Partnership and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.