The Community Trust’s Adult Weight Management Programme has seen a number of participants lose weight in recent months.
Joe Le Lievre, who is a wellbeing community officer at the Trust, told us about the programme and what it entails. He said: “Our programme is basically aimed at men over the age of 18 and the aim is to help them get fitter and increase their healthy habits and lifestyle.
“We use a lot of education within the programme, to help people understand better habits and provide them with the tools they need for a healthier lifestyle.
“Whether that’s helping them with their diet, increasing their exercise in a fun way or putting on our own fitness sessions for them to get involved with.
“We do stuff like volleyball and football and we also provide all participants with a free gym membership. It’s all about helping people and getting them fitter in a fun way.”
Le Lievre also expressed his delight with how successful the programme has been so far, saying: “We’ve had so many successful outcomes since I began here at the start of the year.
“I think it’s around 18 people that have taken part and most have lost weight with a good chunk of those people losing a high percentage of their weight over the 12 weeks and beyond.
“The real success has been after the programme has finished. We regularly check in on the guys upon finishing and pretty much all of them have continued leading a healthier lifestyle off the back of our programme.
“It’s great to see. It really is rewarding and there’s no doubt that most people are in a better place upon finishing the programme to when they started.”
Funding has been provided to the Community Trust to allow the project to go ahead and Le Lievre stressed the vital importance of the support.
“It’s massive that we get funding, we wouldn’t run without it,” he said.
“Ultimately the funding comes from Public Health England and is then allocated by Derbyshire County Council and we are extremely grateful for it.
“The funding is integral to us putting on this project. Without it, we simply wouldn’t be able to run.
“The money allows us to keep doing this and we hope it will continue. It allows us to run a successful project and while ever we’re putting these on, there will be successful outcomes and healthier changes to several people’s lives in and around Chesterfield.”
Le Lievre was keen to express that any males over the age of 18 can get involved. “Anyone can get involved,” he commented. “We’re welcoming and we create a safe space so don’t be afraid.
“Just send us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
“We will let you know what programmes we have running and what we believe is appropriate for you and then from there we can give you a call and discuss things further.
“Get involved and you can change for the better.”
For more information please email: wellbeing@spireitestrust.org.uk.
