Healthy Lifestyles
Healthy Lifestyles is a consultation-based health promotion and educational activity, which links health care services with education, and which has been in operation at the Centre since 1992 as a pioneering health project.
The project uses a variety of educational tools and resources, according to an individual's age and health needs, and helps participants to improve their lifestyle and general health. It is delivered through group tuition, individual consultations, group discussions and physical management sessions.
The programme’s aims are consistent with the national objectives within the strategy for health outlined in the Government’s White Paper, which puts emphasis on collaborative work to promote better general health and taking action to prevent illness within our communities.
General feedback on the programme effectiveness and its role within the national strategy for health and preventative care, has been outlined at the interviews carried out by the Department of Health in January 2006, as part of the consultation ‘Your Health, Your Care, Your Say’ White Paper listening exercise, at which the public, patients, service users, and staff were asked to express their views on how to improve the services provided in the community by the NHS and social care.
Our work continues to make a significant contribution to the development of a future integrated model of health and preventative care that is based on building people’s capacity to make healthier decisions in the context of their everyday life.
What people say about the project
Dr Julia Davis, GP at the Bromley by Bow Health Centre
“The Healthy Lifestyles programme offers a real opportunity for people to improve their own health through exercise and diet – with support and motivation."
Dr Saul Marmot, GP at the Bromley by Bow
"The programme can make you feel healthier, fitter and gives you more energy. If you are healthier, your body is more able to fight off illness, infections and even depression. I recommend it to my patients with heart and lung problems, joint aches, general tiredness, and for those who want to lose weight and get into shape”
This is the difference it can make to participants:
“My life seemed to evolve around hospitals for 10 years, my lifestyle became impaired, I was afraid to exercise, which made me immobile and totally dependent on my father. I was always in pain due to my illness, which resulted in severe depression. Owing to this programme, although there is no cure for my illness, my life has been transformed. I have gradually become quite active; I’m much more independent now; able to enjoy my holidays and make the most of my life.”
“I came from Bangladesh 20 years ago; I developed lots of joint problems and chronic back pain; I have diabetes, bad circulation and heart condition. Attending the sessions has become the second nature for my family and me. I am quite active now and I can cope better with my health conditions, too. The whole family follow the healthy lifestyles plan and we believe, that better choices made in our daily living have helped us improve and maintain optimum health.”
To find out more about the programme, to access our evaluative reports, to refer a patient or to join in, please contact Krys – Healthy Lifestyles Tutor on Tel: 0844 8151020 Ext.214 (Wednesdays), or ask at Reception or email: enquiries@healthinbalance.org.uk
