Project title: Putting the Heart Back into Knowsley
Region: Knowsley, Merseyside
Award amount: £9,462.50
Date: August 2025
Knowsley ranks 27th highest in England for premature cardiovascular disease mortality, with life expectancy rates below the national average. Residence face significant health inequalities linked to heart disease risks. Focus groups in the area revealed high levels of social isolation, particularly among people living alone, as well as an over reliance on processed foods due to poor nutrition literacy.
There is a strong need for a community-based programme in Knowsley that helps residents make realistic, sustainable lifestyle changes to protect and improve their heart health.
Putting the Heart Back into Knowsley is a 6 month community led intervention that will be delivered to vulnerable adults aged 31 – 75 years who are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. They will deliver structured weekly group sessions including health promotion sessions, nutrition and healthy eating workshops, and physical activity sessions (both in person and online). By working with people at the heart of the community, they foster a sense of belonging and trust, essential ingredients for motivating sustained lifestyle changes.
Each participant benefits from two personalised one to one coaching sessions throughout the programme, providing tailored support to set achievable goals, overcome individual challenges, and maintain motivation. This personalised approach ensures that behaviour change strategies are relevant, realistic, and sensitive to each person’s circumstances.
This project will combine practical skills, health education and emotional wellbeing to provide a holistic approach to heart health. Activate Body and Mind aim to provide support and education to 50 individuals across the projects lifespan. They will be measuring the project’s success through measuring health indicators such as blood pressure, waist circumference, weight and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. This project has a strong delivery team inclusive of a nutritionist, personal trainer and psychotherapist to ensure the beneficiaries have the best support available to them.