The Trust’s weight management programme has been supporting adults to lead healthier lifestyles for free since January 2015.
Shape Up was initially launched in Hertfordshire as a male-only offer in response to an identified need to engage more men in weight-loss courses. Now, we can reflect on a course that has worked collaboratively with health professionals and helped thousands of people to lose weight. It has now also expanded to offer courses in Harrow, as well as offering tailored courses for females, and those with a physical and/or learning disability and those with a severe mental illness.
An illustration of the programme’s impact is the story of Antony. Since originally taking part in the core twelve-week course of Shape Up in 2021, Antony has lost over nine stone of weight. Now attending a graduate’s programme at Meriden Community Centre, Antony continues to support the project, always willing to assist in any way he can, including being a motivator for new Shape Up participants. Antony sums up his experience:
“I cannot thank (Trust staff member) Shaun and the Shape Up team enough for saving my life … I feel so much better about myself, I’m gaining self-esteem I haven’t had in years. I look better in my clothes and I’m more active with my kids, running around the park, playing football, getting up the climbing frames.”