My Weight Matters (MWM) is Essex County Council’s weight management service that community agency PROVIDE lead on. Through the Find Your Active large grants programme, Active Essex have been able to help fund the weight management sessions, which are delivered by Community 360.
In July, Jane came to the MWM sessions in Witham, following a referral from a physiotherapist. Her health conditions were severely impacting on her mobility and wellbeing, and Jane knew that her weight gain also meant that the knee surgery she so badly needed couldn’t take place. At the first MWM session, Jane was offered a gym referral through Active Essex and Provide which she took up.
Jane has since had her first swim in 6 years and was very impressed by the support she received from Fusion Leisure Centre in Witham. She gave her physio plan to the instructor there, who supported her to carry on with the exercises prescribed.
Jane shared that she felt at ease attending the MWM sessions in Witham, due to the friendly and non- judgmental one-to-one support. She has now lost nearly a stone in 7 weeks, and feels and looks like a different person. Jane commented, “This has all made me feel normal, human again and today I feel so happy. Today I am a person and no longer a statistic.”
Jo from Community 360 shared; “The success of the My Weight Matters programme started with the great support received from the RAFA club in Witham, who offered us the use of their premises to support this valuable community work. This was instigated by one of our brilliant volunteers who is so supportive to everything we do. She supports at every session and is now being trained by PROVIDE to gain more knowledge.
The RAFA club is spacious and welcoming, many people comment on its a family friendly atmosphere. The way the group is run means that nobody feels judged or worried to attend, for example if they have not met their goal. Many come for the social connection as much as the weigh ins and this positive and motivating environment as well as the support received, has contributed to many success stories for weight loss.
The opportunity to receive support to attend the local Fusion gym with a free month’s membership has had a great uptake. Many did not feel they would be confident enough to attend, however with our encouragement and that of other attendees who joined the gym as well as the support of Fusion staff, many are trying new activities and are now on the road to a healthier and more positive lifestyle.’
If you have an idea or are a part of an organisation looking to help support those in your community to get active, then make sure to contact us. More information about the group can be found here:
