Leading an active and healthy lifestyle
Achieving a healthy weight
If you are overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. It can:
- reduce your risk of developing other health conditions
- help improve your energy levels
- make you feel better
Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking, and increasing your activity levels can really help you on your weight loss journey. It is also really important for your mental wellbeing to keep active and eat well.
Sometimes, with so much information about food and exercise available to us through social media and the internet, it is hard to know what to do and why. Our Live Well team can help by guiding you in the right direction to a healthier lifestyle.
Please note: Live Well cannot provide individual dietary advice. If you or someone you care for has special dietary requirements, medical needs or an eating disorder, please seek advice from a registered healthcare professional.
If you would like more information on eating disorders, Beat has lots of useful advice for adults and children.
Opportunities within Live Well
Slimming World
We have partnered up with Slimming World to offer eligible Swindon residents a free 12-week programme at a Slimming World group of their choice. To find out more about this exciting offer view the Slimming World Partnership section below.
If you are interested in taking part in the above and would like a friendly chat with a member of the team, please contact the Live Well Hub on 01793 465513 or email livewell@swindon.gov.uk.
Opportunities outside of Live Well
Use the links below to find a range of information about healthy eating, useful weight loss tools and evidence-based advice.
Football Fans in Training
A 12-week healthy lifestyle programme for men and women aged between 35 and 65 years with a waist measurement of 38” and above. This programme is organised by Swindon Town FC Community Foundation and designed to help you lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Each 90-minute session contains a different topic and there is a fun physical activity component to each session.
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
For people living with obesity who also have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both. This is a free 12-week programme, available via a smartphone, tablet, or computer. To start your journey to a healthier lifestyle, you need to speak to your GP or a local pharmacist who can refer you to the programme.
NHS Weight Loss Plan App
A free 12-week programme available from the App Store or Google Play that can be easily downloaded to a smartphone. Something to try with friends and family to support each other through your weight loss journey. The Better Health website also has a range of other resources to help you lose weight.
You can also visit:
- NHS Eat Well for a guide to healthy eating
- Better Health - Healthier Families which includes advice for families on easy ways to eat well and move more including, healthier lunchboxes for kids and easy recipes
You may also be referred by your GP or health professional to specific weight loss schemes.
Other sources of health information
The NHS choices website provides advice on common health conditions. There are thousands of freely available articles, videos, tools and apps to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.
You can also find out more about support and social care services if you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability.
Slimming World partnership
What is the service?
Slimming World is a very easy weight management programme offering 12 weeks of free sessions. The one-hour group sessions run mornings and evenings six days a week.
Slimming World uses a food optimising eating plan, which is based around satisfying your appetite with healthy everyday foods so that you never go hungry. It’s a long-term plan, not a quick fix, so no food is banned and whatever your favourite treat is, you can still enjoy it in moderation.
You will also be encouraged to build more physical activity into your daily routine (brisk walking is fine) as this will help you keep the weight off you lose.
As well as the support of a consultant who’s been a member themselves and a group full of friends, you’ll have free access to Slimming World’s members-only website and app, featuring food planners, tools, recipes, articles, exercise videos and so much more – to help you stay motivated and on track between groups.
Who is it for?
In order to support people in the right way, the following eligibility criteria is in place for individuals to access free Slimming World vouchers. Eligibility for applicants:
- A resident in the Swindon Borough Council area, or registered with a Swindon GP
- Aged 16 years and over
- Receiving means-tested benefits
- Have a BMI of over 30 (or a BMI of over 25 for those from black and minority ethnic groups or with other long-term health conditions)
- Ready to change and commit to the programme*
- Not currently pregnant
- Have not received vouchers within the last year
- Must provide consent to share data
* If eligible, we advise you start the programme as soon as possible after receiving your vouchers. If you are issued vouchers and do not activate them within a reasonable amount of time, you may not be able to receive any further vouchers.
What will you get?
A free 12-week Slimming World programme at a group of your choice (see local venues available) and if you manage to lose 5% of your initial body weight we may be able to fund a second 12-week programme for you.
Please note: Vouchers are for 12 consecutive weeks, a second 12-week voucher will only be issued if a 5% or more weight loss has been achieved and must be used immediately after finishing the first programme. No further vouchers will be issued on completion of the second programme.
How do I get referred?
You need to be registered with Live Well Swindon. You can:
- complete the online Live Well referral form
- phone on 01793 465513
- email livewell@swindon.gov.uk
Once you have registered, a Live Well team member will contact you to discuss your eligibility and next steps.