South East Essex NHS Health Trainer Service

The NHS South East Essex Health Trainer service offers FREE one to one support and information to adults in Canvey Island and Southend who want to improve their health and prevent future ill-health, through simple lifestyle changes. A unique benefit of this service is that the Health Trainers live locally and have made a lifestyle change themselves so understand problems, concerns and difficulties people may have on a local level.  They are well-informed about, and can signpost to local community-based services.

Case Study - Stephen
We met Stephen in May 2010 at a community housing drop in. After hearing what the service could offer, Stephen approached the health trainers wanting support to lose weight.

On his first meeting with his health trainer, Tracey, they were able to discuss what his options were for low cost exercise and what would suit him best. Stephen remembered that he used to enjoy walking the dog and how he had lost some weight by doing this. However since he stopped the regular walks the weight had gone back on.

Tracey was able to recommend free health walks in Southend as a way of walking with a group for socialising, safety and support. Stephen had not heard of health walks before and thought it would be a good idea to try them. By the end of their first meeting they had set a goal for Stephen to lose a stone by December and decided upon a weekly walking plan. Not only was the walking something Stephen knew he would enjoy but it was achievable exercise due to low fitness levels.

Stephen showed his motivation and dedication by buying a step o meter and trying one of the health walks. While he was on one of the walks he got talking to another walker and discovered that they both had diabetes. His fellow walker was able to tell Stephen about a diabetic support group he goes to which was another issue Stephen wanted to address.

Stephen has now been sticking to his walking plan for five months; he walks after dinner each day for at least 40 minutes as well as attends the local health walks. Stephen also walks to Shoebury once a week to visit friends. In the past 5 months Stephen has lost 2 stone 2lb, smashing his goal of 1 stone in six months.

Throughout the past five months Tracey has continued to stay in touch with Stephen to support and encourage him. Now Stephen’s fitness levels have increased she has recommended various additional exercise and physical activities to him - that are also low cost. Stephen has decided to go swimming and to the gym once a week for an hour, now that walking as a way of travel has become routine. 
Susie Tyer, Health Trainer Service Co-ordinator

Margaret Gray, Associate Director of Public Health at NHS South East Essex said “The NHS Health Trainer Service is a free and confidential service which provides support to help local people make lifestyle changes. I am delighted to hear of Stephen’s success in increasing his physical activity and in achieving, and exceeding his weight loss goal.“

The Health Trainer Service offers:

• A one to one look at health and lifestyle to see what areas could be improved
• A tailor made health plan to help people achieve realistic goals
• Support, encouragement and motivation with up to five follow up contacts
• Information on local activities and groups to help people achieve their goals
• Help with accessing other local services

The service is currently prioritising individuals who live in the St Luke’s, Kursaal, Milton and Victoria wards in Southend and Canvey Island.

We are currently looking for volunteers to work with the Health Trainer Service. For more information, please contact the Health Trainer Service on 01702 461377 or email: michelle.livett@parkwoodhealthcare.co.uk

November 2010

 

The NHS South East Essex Health Trainer Service had its offiial launch on 22nd February 2010

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