Council Supports Community with Health Wellbeing Initiatives
West Lancashire Borough Council offers innovative healthy eating initiatives designed to support the health and wellbeing of the community.
Our Wellbeing team deliver a ‘Walk this Weigh’ programme designed to help residents improve their relationship with food and overall health and wellbeing.
As part of the free eight-week programme, residents receive practical advice on nutritional recommendations, how to make better food choices and how ultra-processed foods can be avoided to maximise improvements in physical and emotional wellbeing.
This well-attended service is accessible across the borough, giving residents the knowledge and motivation to make healthier food choices by sharing nutritional information such as fats and sugars, information on portion control & food labelling and benefits of physical activity which will also support weight loss in the process in a fun and friendly community environment.
A service user on the programme said: “I enjoyed the course. In fact, I enjoyed the course immensely. Already I have introduced several lifestyle changes that have undoubtedly improved my health and well-being.”
Courses are informal, friendly and run from local community venues. Both medical and self-referrals are welcomed.
Complementing the Walk this Weigh program is the Let's Make a Difference booklet, a detailed guide created to provide tips and information to support residents' health and wellbeing.
The 'Let's Make a Difference' booklet is full of useful cooking, shopping, budgeting, fuel, money saving advice, ideas and tips to help people provide healthy, affordable meals for themselves and their families, to support best health and wellbeing and to direct residents to appropriate support groups and services.
The booklet is available free of charge and can be picked up at many community venues including community centres, libraries, and the Council office at Derby Street in Ormskirk. Digital copies are also available to download from the Council’s website.
These initiatives are part of the Council's broader commitment to enhancing the health and wellbeing of its residents. By providing practical support and fostering a sense of community spirit, the Council aims to make healthy eating achievable and enjoyable for everyone.
Councillor Vickie Cummins, lead member for Communities said: "We are pleased to support our residents with these initiatives and encourage everyone to take part and make healthier lifestyle choices.
"Healthy eating and physical activity are crucial to the wellbeing of our community and underpins our ambitions to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents. We're proud to offer these initiatives to help positively influence people's lives as we know the cost-of-living crisis can make it difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle; this initiative helps by showing how maintaining our health can be achievable."
For more information on the Community Connectors and Wellbeing Team, visit https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/leisure-recreation/keeping-fit/community-connectors.aspx
