Preston North End Community and Education Trust has secured a contract from Lancashire County Council to deliver a tier two weight management programme in Preston for the next two years.
The programme will support those who are overweight or suffering from obesity with multi-disciplinary services, helping clients to achieve long-term and sustainable weight loss, seeing the Trust work in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Public Health England while continuing to deliver the FIT FANS provision alongside the EFL Trust.
The unique programme will be unlike other traditional weight loss programmes, supporting individuals to lead healthier and more active lifestyles with varying provisions that will be catered to different individuals’ needs.
The provision will include online delivery for anyone wishing to take part from home, community-based delivery with group sessions in settings across Preston and the surrounding areas, and a direct link to the FIT FANS programme, which sees a weekly 90-minute weekly session made up of a classroom and exercise workshop delivered at Deepdale.
FIT FANS was delivered by the Trust for the first time late last year where 43 unique participants engaged on the programme. They achieved an incredible average weight loss of 5.1kg after being empowered to make positive changes.
Delivery of the programme will look to encourage participants to make lifelong changes to eating habits, help them overcome barriers to weight loss, make sensible dietary choices and become more active.
Deputy Chief Executive of the Trust Harriet Creighton-Levis said: “We are delighted to be the partner of choice for the Tier Two Weight Management contract in Preston, working in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Public Health England to tackle the health inequalities across Preston.
“The programme will have a holistic approach with our participants’ needs at its core. Our team will mentor individuals, develop their physical, mental, and emotional health, while taking social factors into consideration.
“Therefore, we will have a range of provision, designed to meet individuals’ needs, including face-to-face delivery and online delivery.
“We situate ourselves at the heart of the Preston community utilising the power of Preston North End and football to provide a high-quality service to improve lives. We understand the responsibility as the official charity of Preston North End to support our community to remove barriers and tackle the local health inequalities.
“Our team are experts in supporting individuals to lead healthier lives, our empowering programmes encourage lifelong changes to eating habits, help people overcome barriers to weight loss, make sensible food choices and become more active.
“We want to support our football family and the local community on their weight loss journey and this programme will bring participants closer to the stadium and the club through its delivery model.
“Our team believe that by providing the correct tools and environment for our participants, we will increase independence and self-determination, empowering individuals to make positive changes.”
For more information, visit our Weight Management page by clicking here, or email hannah.white@pne.com to find out more.