The Havering Weight, Wellness and Activity Service, delivered by Gro Health on behalf of Havering Council, will support residents with healthy eating, physical activity, and overall wellbeing. The programme is available both face-to-face and digitally.
Councillor Graham Day, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health Care, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “Obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of death after smoking, and in Havering three in five adults are overweight or living with obesity. In our busy lives it can be difficult to prioritise eating well and moving more, which can make maintaining a healthy weight more difficult. Our aim is to support residents through initiatives such as this weight management programme, which provides a range of support to help them live and maintain a healthier lifestyle.”
This programme is part of a community-based, Tier 2 Weight Management Service. It offers free advice, coaching, and practical support to adults with a BMI above 30 (or 27.5 for those from an Asian, Black, or ethnic minority background) to help them make healthier lifestyle changes.
Participants can choose between 12 weeks of in-person group sessions at community venues, including 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity, or virtual one-to-one coaching via video or telephone. Additionally, individuals will receive 12 months of free access to the Gro Health digital platform, featuring over 2,000 recipes, meal plans, and wellbeing support, or physical resources for those who are digitally excluded. A community forum and WhatsApp group are also available for peer support.
The Gro Health app supports 18 languages. Upon joining and completing the course, residents will have access to support for up to 12 months. The service is free for adults aged 18 and over who meet the BMI criteria.
To check eligibility and get started, residents can visit grohealth.com/havering or call 0330 133 0307. Referrals can also be made by a GP or other healthcare professional. For more information on healthy weight, visit Live Well Havering.
