Everyone Active has partnered with The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme to launch a series of free nine-month courses for those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  

Sessions are confirmed to start at Brent Valley Golf Course & Fitness Centre on April 19, Perivale Park Athletics Track on April 20 and June 1, and Everyone Active Acton on April 18 and May 30.

The centres, operated by Everyone Active in partnership with Ealing Council, will offer exercise and healthy eating advice and help people significantly reduce their risk of the disease.

“There are currently five million people in the UK at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and Everyone Active is committed to helping to provide a solution,” says Daniel Blackmore, Everyone Active Health Manager.

“We hope that this project will make a real difference in combatting one of the most challenging health issues of today, and that people in the local community will get involved with the free programme to help improve their health and wellbeing.”

There are currently 2.8 million people with Type 2 diabetes in England, with around 200,000 new diagnoses every year.

However, Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through lifestyle changes, so the NHS DPP was set up by Diabetes UK, NHS England and Public Health England in 2016 to help reduce the risk of, and even stop, people developing Type 2 diabetes.

The nine-month programme helps people take control of their health, supports them to make changes to their diet, weight and the amount of exercise they do, all of which have been proven to reduce the risk of developing the disease.

In Ealing each session will take place in a group setting, led by a trained health coach, and will offer advice on nutrition, physical activity, staying motivated and solving problems that can get in the way of healthy life changes.

Councillor Hitesh Tailor, cabinet member for health and adults’ services, said: “This is a terrific offer to local residents who are at risk of Type 2 diabetes and I would encourage people to take it up. 

“We all have a responsibility for our own health and this programme allows individuals to take control of their health and work towards a fitter future.”

The programme is free to eligible individuals aged over 18 and who meet the ‘at risk’ criteria. For more information visit www.everyoneactive.com or www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/qual-clin-lead/diabetes-prevention/.