New courses support people with learning disabilities to keep fit and healthy

Shropshire Council has teamed up with a community interest company to support adults with learning disabilities who would like help and advice on keeping fit and living a healthier lifestyle.

Weight management courses are being run at Abbots Wood in Shrewsbury, and Oak Farm in Ditton Priors, near Bridgnorth, which are both Shropshire Council community based day services for adults with learning disabilities.

The council is working with the Sue Gazey and Bridgit Richardson Weight Managers Community Interest Company (CIC) to run the free courses to provide support to both people using the services and their carers. The courses are initially over 10 weeks and then monthly until the end of the year.

The Abbots Wood course started in May, and the Oak Farm course started in April. The courses are full and the feedback to date from people taking part has been extremely positive.

Val Franks said: “I found it really interesting, helpful and it helps me make healthier choices.” Sonia Lewis described the course as “really good” and Tania Sudlow commented that it was “interesting, good and educational”.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Cabinet member with responsibility for disability, said:

“We are continually looking to develop and improve our services and work more effectively with our partners.

“These sessions are proving very popular and provide another way we can support people to live the lives they wish to lead, making a very positive difference to people with learning disabilities in Shropshire. The feedback to date has been great and we hope to extend the course to other areas in the county.”

Sue Gazey, director of Weight Managers CIC said:

“We have had fantastic support from all the staff that have been involved at both Abbots Wood and Oak Farm.

“We are now organising another course in the Oswestry area starting this month and details are just being finalised.

“We are having an independent assessment of the programme to evaluate the effectiveness of the courses with a view to seeking further funding.”

For more information on Abbots Wood click here and Oak Farm click here.

For further details on the Weight Managers CIC go to www.weightmanagers.co.uk