Five years of fit as a fiddle in London

from Allotments to Zumba

London portfolio

• Community development approach provides ‘reach’

• Partnerships with small local community groups are key to success

• Embeds healthy living activities within friendship networks and social groups

London portfolio

• 3 distinct London projects: • Healthy Eating • Tackling Obesity • Community Health Engagement

• 19 projects in 16 London boroughs, involving over 150 local community groups and over 3000 older people

Partnerships

• An essential tool in developing links with target communities

• In-kind support – venues, expertise

• Delivery partners, for e.g. DC Leisure

• Worked together with partners to build in sustainability from start

What did older people say?

• "When you get depressed and you're sitting at home, you tend to eat and pick... Now I'm going out, I'm not eating all day, I'm not going to end up with obesity and diabetes and high blood pressure“

• “I feel much more confident I’m not going to fall”

• “Before coming to the group I had not been out for 9 months due to bereavement. I… now look forward to going to the club every week”

• “I found within the first 6 weeks, my doctor was saying ‘What are you doing? There’s a difference’....

• “I wasn’t able to talk because of my lack of English… It’s changed my life”

Evaluation

• 77% lost weight and/or reduced waist measurement

• 75% eating more healthily

• % exercising at least 3 times a week increased from 34% to 86%

• Reduced GP visits

• Reduced falls

• Improved muscle strength

• Improved mental health, happier

• £3.50 return on investment for every £1 invested

Sustainability

• Independent groups

• Other sources of funding for project

• faaf activities continued by Age UK, local leisure provider or other group