The Problem:

Glasgow areas Maryhill and Springburn have one of the highest levels of deprivation in the country, with life expectancy of these communities being drastically lower (men 15.4 years and women 11.6 years) than those living in the most affluent areas of Scotland. These populations have been found to have significantly higher levels of adult obesity and inactivity compared to the national and regional averages, making them the most at risk of having cardiovascular disease.

The Project:

Football Fit Club will focus on providing support to those who are overweight, inactive, and aged between 31 and 59, empowering them to make positive lifestyle changes. The project aims to run sessions over a 10-week period at the Petershill Sports Complex, delivering both workshops and physical activity sessions to better the participants heart health. Healthy eating, alcohol intake, mental health, and football fitness are some of the sessions they aim to deliver, with hopes of improving their physical and mental wellbeing as well as their health literacy by the end of the project.

The Benefits:

This project aims to give beneficiaries the knowledge they need to be able to make positive lifestyle changes and reduce their chances of developing heart diseases. The combination of learning, practical advice and increased physical activity will help participants to achieve improvements in physical activity levels, reduced BMI, reduced blood pressure, weight loss, reduced alcohol intake and reduced sugar and salt intake. By running this project, it will bring vulnerable and at-risk individuals together to connect with peers and build positive relationships, reducing the levels of loneliness within the community. Additionally, all beneficiaries will be supported to learn basic CPR techniques and what to do if someone is having a heart attack.