Croydon residents from Black African and Black Caribbean communities can sign up to a free weight management programme co-produced with residents and specifically tailored to meet cultural food preferences and lifestyles.
Local people worked in partnership with the council, Croydon BME Forum and Oviva health experts to design the new programme after evidence showed fewer residents from Black African and Black Caribbean communities were accessing Croydon’s weight management programme.
Residents aged 18 and older or those registered with a Croydon GP, can sign up to a free 12-week tailored programme to improve their health outcomes. They will receive personalised one-to-one or group support to help them lose weight, increase their confidence in managing their weight and make sustainable changes to their lifestyle.
Participants can attend local groups and take advantage of the NHS-approved Oviva app to track their progress. They can also access the educational platform, Oviva Learn, where new modules and resources are unlocked each week.
This work has been funded by the public health grant which is ring-fenced to address health inequalities and improve the health outcomes of local people.
Andrew Brown, chief executive at Croydon BME Forum, said: “We were pleased to help get residents involved in developing this important programme. It means there is now more tailored support in Croydon for people from our Black African and Black Caribbean communities to look after their health and wellbeing. We encourage residents to sign up to receive the benefits offered by this service.”
“This is a great new programme to help more Croydon residents to be healthier. When it comes to looking after ourselves, we know that a one-size-fits-all approach can mean that some people will miss out. This targeted weight management programme, designed in partnership with Croydon residents, will directly help people in a way that is meaningful to them.”
Councillor Yvette Hopley, cabinet member for health and adult social care
Sarah Harrison, Oviva’s weight management clinical lead, said, “We are looking forward to supporting Croydon residents from Black African and Black Caribbean communities on their weight management journey. Our programmes transform people’s health by helping them change their eating and exercise habits and daily routines to take control of their life and achieve their desired goals.”
Anyone seeking advice to improve their health can visit the council’s Live Well Croydon website for help to stop smoking, lose weight and drink less alcohol.
