12 Week Wellness Programme

The “12 weeks to wellness” pilot.

We were commissioned by HCC Public Health working on the BAME Health Equity to run a 12 Week Wellness Programme. It consisted of healthy eating and exercise in partnership with Shephall Health Centre and two other GP surgeries in Bedwell and King George’s. We scoped and developed the best methods on how to recruit patients to consider this programme as part of their long-term health management, it was agreed to run a 12-weeks for selected patients.

The delivery partner with SWF was Sporting Inspirations who are experienced in running healthy living courses appropriate for all ages ranging from young to older people. The initial plan was to provide cookery classes as well as exercise but due to the timeframe and patients’ availability, it was decided that the most effective and efficient to engage with the patients was to deliver a health session which included analysis of the patients’ current health situation, weight management coupled with exercise of choice and preference to help them to make changes to their lifestyle.

The programme started in September 2022. It consisted of twice a week-sessions in a local community centre, the Stoneyhall Centre. The place for such activity is a key factorfor community engagement to raise awareness and the provision of support, together with the trusted local BAME host organisation.

The health coaches reported that the patients were “brand new” to exercise but had

enjoyed the wellness aspect of the programme. They all felt that their needs were met sufficiently with the yoga session each week. 

The patients learnt about nutrition, portion sizes and combinations of food. This ensured that they felt nourished, had energy, and managed to establish a routine quite quickly and effectively. They did not have to “buy” special foods but learnt how to eat better not only for them but for their families as well.

A case study:

I had a call from my GP asking me to join an ethnic group to acquire nutritional knowledge for 12 weeks. I wasn’t given much detail during the call, but my curiosity got the better of me and I called to register and attend.

The first meeting was interesting. I realised this could be more than just ‘ethnic cooking’ class. We talked about days and times that would be suitable for us to meet. Thus agreed, we had a formal invitation with when and place to start.

Still apprehensive I arrived at the said time and place. It was quite an intimate group. Much smaller than we had been at the meeting prior. 

We each had an individual conversation with health coach and discussed what we wanted out of the 12-week wellness program. In my case learn to eat well and lose weight. Others had health issues, sugar levels, blood pressure, stiff body movement etc.

The 12 weeks were an eye opening and insight into what we can do to improve on our wellbeing. We learnt that losing weight was not to avoid eating or restricting our 

food intake but to learn the right combination of our macro nutrients etc. We had a goal to aim for each week combined with light exercises. We all began to see improvements within the first week!

It has been an interesting and fascinating 12 weeks which have flown by. We have made like-minded friends too apart from the health and physical improvements.

It will be such a shame to stop now. I believe another course will nail in all that we have and still on the journey to achieve. 

The health coaches took us through some yoga sessions and were absolutely brilliant. We acquired knowledge in a fun environment that saw us all making the effort to attend class after class.

I do and will recommend this wellness program to all. It will help to have an information booklet that‘s handed out at the meeting for people to be more informed. 

My journey has been interesting, and I look forward to continuing the session soon.