Project title: All Strong Hearts
Region: Perth, Scotland
Award amount: £13,100
Award Date: September 2026
There is a significant need for additional support alongside physical activity and training for people at increased risk of heart disease in the Perth area. For many people, particularly autistic adults and people with learning disabilities, accessing clear, accessible and practical information about nutrition, healthy lifestyles and heart health can be challenging.
All Strong Scotland regularly works with groups who may experience an increased risk of heart disease or face additional barriers to accessing health and wellbeing support, including women, people in addiction recovery, people with learning disabilities, and people experiencing mental health challenges. Through this work, All Strong Scotland has received requests from partner organisations and members of the public for a more targeted approach to supporting people with heart conditions, as well as people who have been advised or referred by health professionals to improve their physical activity, nutrition and overall health.
In response to this identified need, All Strong Scotland has developed All Strong Hearts: a targeted programme providing physical activity alongside accessible, practical support around nutrition, healthy lifestyles and heart health.
All Strong Hearts is a 12-month project providing weekly, targeted support to four groups who may face increased risks of heart disease and additional barriers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle: women, people in addiction recovery, people with learning disabilities, and people experiencing mental health challenges.
Each group will take part in dedicated sessions designed to improve heart health through a combination of physical activity, wellbeing support, education and behaviour change. Sessions will include mobility exercises, guided small-group physical training in the gym, relaxation, yoga and breathwork to support stress reduction. These activities will be complemented by group check-ins and facilitated discussions around goal setting, behaviour change, healthy eating, smoking cessation and reducing alcohol consumption.
Participants will use ‘Activity Achievement Journals’ throughout the programme to set personal goals, develop action plans, record progress and encourage continued engagement. Where appropriate, food diaries will also be used to help participants understand their current eating habits and identify realistic, sustainable changes that can support improved heart health.
All Strong Hearts is about building confidence, self-belief, knowledge and practical skills. The project aims to equip participants with the tools and understanding they need to make healthier choices and develop sustainable routines that can continue beyond the 12-month programme, supporting greater independence and long-term wellbeing.
All Strong Hearts has an experienced and appropriately skilled delivery team at its core, including qualified personal trainers, a Behaviour Change Coach and staff with Level 3 Nutrition qualifications. The team has extensive experience delivering inclusive group sessions for people with a wide range of health conditions, abilities and personal circumstances, ensuring that activities can be adapted to meet the individual needs of participants.
The project will use a clear monitoring and evaluation framework to measure changes in participants’ health, knowledge and confidence throughout the 12-month programme. Key health measures, including blood pressure, resting heart rate, weight and waist circumference, will be recorded at the beginning, midpoint and end of the project. Regular participant surveys will also assess changes in knowledge and understanding of physical activity, healthy eating and other factors that contribute to good heart health. This will allow the project to demonstrate measurable outcomes and identify changes in participants’ health and wellbeing over time.
A strong network of external partners will support the project, helping to ensure a consistent pathway for referrals and engagement. Existing links include SCOPE, Perth & Kinross Council, The Murray Royal Hospital, Mindspace and No.3 Autism Initiative. These partnerships provide valuable connections to people who may benefit from the programme and will support All Strong Hearts in reaching those who face additional barriers to improving their heart health.
Together, the experienced delivery team, robust monitoring approach and established referral network provide a strong foundation for delivering and demonstrating the impact of All Strong Hearts.