Category: Prevention

Project title: Healthy Hearts with Vibe Life

Region: Denbigh, Wales

Award amount: £10,259.06

Date: September 2024 – April 2025

The Problem

Denbighshire has a high prevalence of heart disease among residents, where one in four deaths are heart related. Heart and circulatory diseases in Denbighshire cause 28 deaths each month, with someone dying every 26 hours. A recent survey among Denbigh residents revealed that 73% of respondents who are physically inactive recognise the importance of increasing their physical activity, with 55% expressing a desire to commit to an exercise routine.

The Project

Healthy Hearts with Vibe Life targeted individuals aged 45 to 75 who were at an increased risk of heart disease due to factors such as smoking, obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity. Vibe Life ran two, 8-week cohorts which included sessions such as indoor Vibe Concept classes, outdoor physical activity sessions, health promotion sessions and cooking skills workshops. This project aimed to combat health inequalities by delivering tailored exercise classes and lifestyle guidance to the community. All sessions were led by experienced instructors and healthcare professionals, including a resident Heart Failure Advanced Clinical Practitioner. The exercise classes offered through this program went beyond traditional workouts by making fitness more enjoyable and accessible for all. They used the Vibe style of workouts which are more upbeat and fun whilst still being adaptable and inclusive for all abilities.

Project Highlights

This Healthy Heart Grants project managed to collect data on health measures from 20 participants. Many of those saw reductions in blood pressure, BMI, weight and NHS heart age. Improvements in Q risk score and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale were also seen. As well as this, participants built confidence, increased their energy levels and now report having a healthier mindset. Several beneficiaries of the project have signed up to continue receiving exercise sessions from Vibe Life and all said they are going to continue with their new active lifestyles.

“This was the kickstart I needed. I’ve reversed serious health risks, lost 10kg, and joined a gym with my sister.”

“It made me feel alive again. I started off feeling low and unmotivated. Now I’ve got more energy, confidence, and a better mindset.”

Project title: Ederney Healthy Hearts

Region: Northern Ireland

Award amount: £13,685

Award date: July 2024 – January 2025

This Healthy Heart Grant project has now finished, read on for the project highlights.

The Problem

Ederney is a small rural village that falls within the top 10% of deprivation for access to services as well as for poverty affecting older people. GPs revealed that local trends within this area mirror the high rate of heart disease found across Northern Ireland, but it is exacerbated by rurality.

The Project

Ederney Healthy Hearts aimed to improve heart health in those with a sedentary lifestyle and a BMI of between 30 and 35. This cardiovascular disease primary prevention programme consisted of both educational and practical elements, delivering educational workshops on healthy eating and nutrition, cooking tips and skills, stress management and mindfulness. Practical sessions were also held in the form of walking groups, step counting and yoga. Talks from specialists on topics such as strokes, smoking and alcohol also took place to understand the strain that poor lifestyle behaviours can put on your heart.

Beneficiaries’ activity levels will be monitored via technology, and they will have their blood pressure, weight and fitness levels assessed pre-, mid- and post-project.

Project Highlights

Ederney Healthy Hearts measured blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, BMI, heart age, Q risk and mental wellbeing pre-, mid- and post-project. Improvements were seen across many of the measures, including heart age, BMI and cholesterol, with other positive outcomes also being observed. All beneficiaries received a medication review with a consultant cardiologist and clinical pharmacist, with some medications being changed and reduced due to their current health results. Participants also saw improvements in their health knowledge, leading to more informed decisions being made and them being more proactive on the management of their health. The project has helped to build a community and reduce isolation

Participant A, said:

“I have enjoyed this healthy heart programme and have found it very beneficial. I have a history of heart disease and take medication for it. I have picked up a few good ideas for cooking and exercise and enjoyed meeting other people”.

Participant B, said:

“I have found the healthy hearts programme very interesting with all the different topics we have learned about. I walk on average 4-5 times a week between 4 and 5 kilometres each time. I have lost ¾ stone in weight and 2.5 inches off my waistline, and I now have porridge and fruit each morning”.

Project title: Lifeline Football: Fit, Fuel and Flourish

Region: Fivemiletown, Northern Ireland

Award amount: £9,910

Award date: November 2024

The Problem:

Fivemiletown, a rural community in Northern Ireland, ranks among the top 15% nationwide with access to services deprivation, meaning residents struggle to find basic services like leisure facilities, GP surgeries, opticians and pharmacies. Heart disease causes nearly a quarter of all deaths in Northern Ireland and around 4,000 deaths each year – an average of 11 people each day. Men over the age of 40 are also especially vulnerable to heart disease due to factors such as physical inactivity, poor diet and mental health challenges. As the only football club in Fivemiletown, the charity was aware of the lack of physical activity and social engagement opportunities for men in the area and is running this project to better their heart health.

The Project:

Lifeline Football: Fit, Fuel and Flourish project focuses on re-engaging men over 40 in physical activity through social football. They will run both coaching sessions and recreational games each week for those who wish to become more active and reduce their risk of heart disease. Participants will have the chance to socialise and develop friendships through regular workshops including nutritional, mental health and cooking sessions. All participants will attend a first aid course, and two beneficiaries will also be given the opportunity to attend UEFA coaching courses, safeguarding training and mental health training so they can continue to coach projects similar to this one afterwards.

The Benefits:

This project aims to benefit a minimum of 50 people from the Fivemiletown community over the course of the 12-month programme. It aims to deliver lifelong skills and knowledge as well as increase social togetherness through a built-in buddy system. The impact of this project on the beneficiaries’ heart health will be measured by taking weight, blood pressure, resting heart rate and body composition measurements pre, mid and post-project. Lifeline Football: Fit, Fuel and Flourish aims to benefit more people, past this grant funding, who are at risk of heart disease by helping beneficiaries achieve their UEFA coaching awards and first aid training.

Kate Bratt Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said:

“It’s important that we tackle health issues within Fivemiletown to reduce the risk of those in the area developing heart disease. This programme launched by Fivemiletown United Football Club, will help break down deprivation barriers, encouraging men over 40 to re-engage in sport.”

“Around 1,100 people under the age of 75 in Northern Ireland die from heart disease each year and 49,000 men are living with coronary heart disease. So, we must target this demographic in their local communities to prevent further deaths from heart diseases.”

Project title: The Heart of the Matter

Region: South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Award amount: £15,000

Award date: October 2024

The Problem:

Coronary heart disease is Scotland’s biggest killer. Approximately 42,000 people in South Lanarkshire are living with heart and circulatory disease and every 8 hours someone in this community dies as a result of this. Recent feedback from community consultations highlighted the need for information, services and support surrounding heart health. MorphFit Gentle Movement Project is providing this by running The Heart of the Matter project to prevent heart diseases within South Lanarkshire.

The Project:

The Heart of the Matter encourages the community to live, learn, work and play healthier and happier. MorphFit Gentle Movement Project will run an 8-week program which focuses on both physical activity and education surrounding heart health. The physical activity sessions will consist of gentle exercise, yoga, circuits and traditional-style school games making these sessions accessible for all beneficiaries. They will be educated on heart health and the factors that affect it such as diet, alcohol and smoking, with additional sessions focussing on mindfulness and meditation.

The Benefits:

This project will conduct health checks at the start and end of each cohort, evidencing the impact the beneficiaries will have made. These measurements include body mass index, NHS heart age and blood pressure, as well as conducting lifestyle questionnaires and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Heart of the Matter will consider the care of the whole person, improving physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing with a key focus on heart health. The beneficiaries will be provided with their own recipe book which includes simple and cost-effective meals allowing them to continue eating healthy post-project.

Kenneth Muir MBE, MorphFit Director says,

“We are thrilled to receive the Heart Research UK, Healthy Heart Grant. This will allow us to support our community to live happier, healthier and longer lives through our programme The Heart of the Matter. This initiative will help people to make small, accessible lifestyle changes which promote heart health”.

Project title: Plymouth HeartStrong

Region: Plymouth, Devon

Award amount: £14,180

Award date: September 2024

The Problem:

In Plymouth cardiovascular disease rates are notably higher than the national average, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Adults in deprived areas are 30% more likely to suffer from heart disease compared to those in more affluent areas. Low-income households in Plymouth often have limited access to healthy food options, recreational facilities, and healthcare services, all of which are crucial for maintaining heart health. A Pilot project conducted by Plymouth Sports Charity as well as community health surveys and focus group discussions all highlighted the need for ongoing support in adopting and maintaining heart-healthy lifestyles in under-resource communities, and thus this healthy heart project.

The Project:

Plymouth HeartStrong project is tailored to improve cardiovascular health for 50 adults aged 40-65 years from low-income backgrounds in Plymouth over 40 weeks. The project will directly address heart health by implementing structured exercise sessions, nutrition workshops and regular health screenings. Participants will engage in weekly group activities such as walking clubs, aerobics and strength training, which are proven to improve cardiovascular health. Educational sessions will focus on heart-healthy diets, demonstrations and stress management techniques. Participants will also have access to individual consultations and peer support groups.

The Benefits:

The project aims to improve cardiovascular risk factors by encouraging healthier lifestyle choices and promoting behaviour change. Plymouth HeartStrong will measure the impact of their project on reducing the risk of heart diseases by monitoring participants’ blood pressure, weight and waist circumference. The project will be delivered by health and fitness professionals with experience working with individuals with chronic health conditions including cardiovascular disease.

Kate Bratt Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said:

“Heart disease remains one of the biggest health challenges faced by communities in deprived areas, and projects like Plymouth HeartStrong are critical in addressing this. By empowering people through education, physical activity, and ongoing support, we can help reduce the inequalities in heart health that too many face. We are proud to support this initiative, and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact it will have on the people of Plymouth.”

Project title: Heart Friendly Health Club

Region: Manchester, England

Award amount: £14,984

Date: November 2023 – August 2024

This Healthy Heart Grant project has now finished, read on for the project highlights.

The Problem:

North Trafford is an area of social deprivation and health inequalities, with those in the most deprived areas living 16 years less than those in the least deprived areas. Physical inactivity impacts residents’ health outcomes and highly affects those living in parts of Trafford’s North and West localities. Voice of BME Trafford works with black and ethnic minority communities within the area and held the Heart Friendly Health Club to reduce the risk of heart diseases which are more prevalent within the South Asian and Afro-Caribbean populations.

The Project:

Voice of BME Trafford’s, Heart Friendly Health Club held weekly sessions focussing on healthy eating and physical activity within the community. The physical activity sessions consisted of low-impact movements such as yoga, chair-based exercise and walking/running which were suitable for individuals of different abilities. The healthy eating element of the sessions came from information workshops from nutritionists, teaching the beneficiaries about balanced eating, fats, sugars and fibre. The project also had a cookery element in which the beneficiaries watched healthy cooking demonstrations and then sampled the food afterwards, from this, they have composed a healthy eating recipe book. One-to-one therapy sessions were also available for those who needed additional support.

The Benefits:

This project saw benefits to heart health through improvements in beneficiaries’ blood pressure and BMI levels. Each cohort formed a WhatsApp group which allowed them to motivate one another and share healthy meals they have been cooking at home. A heart-friendly recipe book was created from the recipes cooked during the project sessions and those cooked by participants at home, allowing them to continue cooking healthy meals after the project. Beneficiaries have expressed the want for more groups in the future to continue improving their heart health.

Mr A, a member of the Healthy Hearts Club had hypertension and pre-diabetes. He started coming to the group with his wife who also had hypertension and was also living with COPD. However, his wife contracted pneumonia and sadly passed away whilst the group was running. He received a lot of emotional support from other attendees and coaches during this delicate time. He was encouraged to continue with the group which helped with his mental and emotional wellbeing as well as physical health.

He has managed to lose weight by following the healthy food recipes in his daily meals. Furthermore, by coming to the groups regularly a drastic uplift in his mental and emotional health was noticed in him by everyone in the group. He joined the VBME exercise group to keep himself active along with other group activities where he was signposted. Moreover, his elevated blood pressure came to normal levels by adopting healthy lifestyle changes.

Project title: Heart of the Leopards Programme

Region: Wigan, Greater Manchester

Award amount: £12,611

Award date: August 2024

The Problem:

The Wigan area has high levels of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sedentary lifestyles. Surveys within the area have shown that 42,000 people live with heart and circulatory disease, and 36% of adults fail to meet the physical activity recommendations. The Northwest records approximately 3600 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually, with a survival rate of only 1 in 13. This shows the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve heart health such as the Heart of the Leopards Programme.

The Project:

The Heart of the Leopards Programme is a free 12-week programme aimed at men aged 45–65-year-olds in the Wigan area. This project targets individuals with a BMI over 28, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure. They will run healthy lifestyle workshops followed by fun exercise sessions to help beneficiaries to improve their physical well-being and to adopt a healthier, more active lifestyle. Sessions will be held weekly at the LSV Stadium, home of Leigh Leopards, and will include workshops on creating healthy eating plans, alcohol intake and smoking cessation and understanding food labels alongside physical activity sessions of the participant’s choice. By providing a supportive and engaging environment, the Heart of the Leopards Programme will help participants make lasting changes to their health and wellbeing, ultimately reducing cardiovascular risks and improving overall quality of life.

The Benefits:

This project aims to improve physical wellbeing by encouraging healthier lifestyle choices to manage and reduce cardiovascular risks. The Heart of the Leopards Programme will measure beneficiaries’ body mass index, weight, blood pressure, basal metabolic rate and cholesterol levels pre, mid and post-project. This project will benefit those participating by improving physical wellbeing, promoting heart health, and reducing cholesterol and high blood pressure. By combining educational workshops with engaging physical activities, they aim to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and support needed to make lasting changes towards better heart health.

Hannah Forbes, Programme Director at Leigh Community Trust, said:

“We are delighted to have received support from Heart Research Healthy Heart Grant. We are passionate about using the club (Leigh Leopards RLFC) and its players to make an impact in the community. The grant will help us to use our sport and activity to make a lasting positive heart health impact through our tailored primary prevention heart health programme to male residents of Leigh.”

Project title: HU7’s Healthy Hearts

Region: Hull, East Yorkshire

Award amount: £14,881

Date: January 2024 – August 2024

This Healthy Heart Grant project has now finished, read on for the project highlights.

The Problem:

A high proportion of residents in Bransholme, Hull are at risk of premature death and an impaired quality of life due to poor physical and mental health. A survey within the area highlighted the need for supportive lifestyle interventions, including education and physical and social activities. There is a lack of such opportunities in the area, and with Hull not having a Tier 2 Weight Management provision, no support is available to those who wish to make positive lifestyle changes. This is where Neighbourhood Network stepped in with their HU7’s Healthy Hearts project

The Project:

The HU7’s Healthy Hearts project aimed to reduce the risk of heart disease in the local area by improving people’s health and wellbeing through a series of activities. The project delivered cookery classes, physical activity sessions, and educational workshops that focused on different health topics such as reading food labels and smoking and alcohol consumption. The participants also had access to one-to-one coaching, talking therapy sessions and personalised support, as well as having their health measurements taken pre, mid and post-project.

The Benefits:

This project managed to successfully reduce beneficiaries heart disease risk factors. Many participants saw reductions in body mass index and blood pressure. 65% of participants recorded a decreased systolic blood pressure, and 53% had a decreased diastolic blood pressure. As well as this, all beneficiaries reported improvements in their mental health and stated that they now have increased self-esteem, optimism, and energy levels and have found a sense of community. Many have committed to continuing their progress by exercising more regularly, adopting balanced diets, and staying engaged in group activities. The participants have also formed their own walking group to continue after the project.

Quotes from participants:

“I’ve enjoyed meeting other group members with similar goals and socializing outside of sessions by forming a walking group”

“I have learned how to live a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and eating well”

“I enjoyed meeting new friends and learning how to cook properly”

“Moving forward I will be more active and pay attention to food labels”

Project title: Healthy Hearts with Vibe Life

Region: Denbigh, Wales

Award amount: £10,259.06

Award date: June 2024

The Problem:

Denbighshire has a high prevalence of heart disease among residents, where one in four deaths is heart-related. Heart and circulatory diseases in Denbighshire cause 28 deaths each month, with someone dying every 26 hours. A recent survey among Denbigh residents revealed that 73% of respondents who are physically inactive recognise the importance of increasing their physical activity, with 55% expressing a desire to commit to an exercise routine. These findings underscore the urgent need for the Vibe Life Healthy Hearts project to address the high prevalence of heart-related conditions.

The Project:

Healthy Hearts with Vibe Life targets individuals aged 45 to 75 who are at an increased risk of heart disease due to factors such as smoking, obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity. Vibe Life will run two, 8-week projects which will include indoor Vibe Concept classes, outdoor physical activity sessions, health promotion sessions and cooking skills workshops. This project aims to combat health inequalities by delivering tailored exercise classes and lifestyle guidance to the community. All sessions will be led by experienced instructors and healthcare professionals, including a resident Heart Failure Advanced Clinical Practitioner. The exercise classes offered through this program will go beyond traditional workouts by making fitness more enjoyable and accessible for all. They will use the Vibe style of workouts which are more upbeat and fun whilst still being adaptable and inclusive for all abilities.

Project Benefits:

This project includes something for everyone with a range of different sessions all designed to improve cardiovascular health and overall fitness in a supportive environment. Vibe Concepts, which will be used during the indoor sessions, are unique and enjoyable fitness classes which aim to keep those involved participating for longer. The experienced instructors will teach safe and effective exercise techniques and help to develop consistency, further encouraging them to continue their routine post-programme. Participants will also benefit from their increased knowledge around healthy lifestyles and development of cooking skills and recipes.

All participants will also receive a health MOT conducted by a qualified nurse at the start and end of the project. This will include measuring blood pressure, resting heart rate, oxygen levels, blood sugar levels and body mass index.

Olivia Clarke, Director at Vibe Life, said:

“At Vibe Life CIC, we are truly passionate about using exercise as a powerful tool for preventing disease. We are excited to bring this passion to Denbigh and inspire people to enjoy regular exercise. Heart disease is a major killer, and we are eager to work together with Heart Research UK to significantly reduce this risk and improve lives through our Healthy Hearts Project. We are incredibly grateful to Heart Research UK for this grant and look forward to getting started.”

Project title: Pulse

Region: Wales, Bridgend

Award amount: £10,904

Award date: June 2023

The Problem:

The South of Wales has one of the highest rates of death from cardiovascular disease in the UK. Cornelly Development Trust conducted a survey of local residents and identified that the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated unhealthy eating habits, increased smoking and alcohol consumption, and raised peoples’ general stress levels, all of which increase the risk of heart diseases.

The Project:

Participants in this project will get to take part in cooking workshops, where aside from cooking from scratch they will also learn about healthy swaps and cooking on a budget. The group will also have access to an outdoor space where they will build an allotment and plant vegetables. These will be used in the cooking workshops and used for the wider benefit of the community. There will also be general health workshops on topics like smoking cessation and physical activity.

The Benefits:

Regular physical activity reduces your risk of heart diseases and gardening is a great, accessible option for individuals who are otherwise inactive. In addition, spending time in nature and gardening can positively impact on stress levels. Participants will be supported to increase their physical activity levels over the course of the project, improving their cardiovascular fitness. Eating a healthy diet can drastically reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and educating participants to be able to shop on a budget and cook heart-healthy, delicious meals will equip them with the knowledge to reduce their risk of heart diseases by adapting their diet at home.

Adrian Morgan, CEO of Cornelly Development Trust, said:

“We are so grateful for the funding support we have received from Heart Research UK as it gives us the opportunity to teach growing fruit and vegetables and use them to prepare healthy food options while raising awareness of general heart health.”

By Ebba Ritzen

One of Northern Ireland’s leading martial arts organisations has received a grant from Heart Research UK for its new project which will give disadvantaged young people the tools and skills to keep a healthy lifestyle. Our Healthy Heart Grants fund community projects across the United Kingdom. ZKJ Dojo was set up in 1998 with the goal of promoting all aspects and benefits of martial arts. Since, it has grown into a key pillar in the community, working to engage young people on the margins of society in positive lifechanging activities.

They recently won the World Amateur Award for Changing Lives through sport, and work with partners like Comic Relief to provide esteem building programmes for youths affected by negative influences in their lives.

Studies the organisation have carried out with their young people have shown that they don’t bother to keep a healthy lifestyle, believing that what they do now won’t affect their health in the future. ZKJ want to change this.

Their new project, called ‘You’re All Heart’, will target hard to reach people with a lifechanging programme which combines the many health benefits of martial arts with their youth work approach to build self-esteem and a positive attitude to long term health and nutritional goal setting. They want to create real bonds between participants and mentors with the aim to build self-confidence, resilience, and improve decision making in relation to keeping a healthy heart.

The project’s home will be the well-known ZKJ Dojo which is open to participants from all over Newtownabbey and wider Belfast. These areas have the seen some of the highest levels of deprivation over the years which inevitably has affected young people’s health. People taking part in the project will be ages 5-30, where the youngest will be educated as a preventative aspect with the hope of teaching them early about lifestyle impact on the heart. The older participants are faced with a myriad of challenges in their lives such including unemployment and educational underachievement. This kind of stress can have bad impact on healthy habits and the heart and ZKJ are hoping their project will give their participants the tools and support to build a healthy future.

Apart from free access to martial arts training, the participants will take part in workshops on all aspects of health such as nutrition, alcohol awareness and mindfulness. They’ll also become part of the coach mentoring team, developing their coaching skills for employment through working alongside qualified coaches and helping out with classes.

Danny Corr, project leader at ZKJ, said:

‘We’re hoping to give these young people the tools and skills to set their own goals for their heart health, which would impact not only themselves but also the community very positively.

‘We know through our work that there’s a real gap in our young people’s awareness of how lifestyle affects the heart, so we’re very grateful to Heart Research UK for granting us the funding for this project.’

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said:

‘Our Healthy Heart Grants are based on the belief that community organisations know best how to promote heart health in their own community. We’re pleased to award this grant to ZKJ and their project which supports young people in deprived areas to take charge of their own health.’

By Ebba Ritzen

People recovering from drug and alcohol addiction have a high risk of developing heart disease, yet there’s a lack of addiction or rehabilitation services that provide sufficient support and advice when it comes to heart health. This is something Lancashire-based 180 Project UK, who support drug users to turn their lives around, quickly realised through their work and by speaking to healthcare professionals. Their new heart-focused programme has now received a £10,000 grant from Heart Research UK.

High stress levels and using drugs to cope lead to an increased risk of developing or suffering from heart disease or heart problems. Early recovery from drug addiction also brings its own dangers in the form of stress.

180 Project UK is determined that people’s past shouldn’t define their future. They aim to turn people’s lives around 180 degrees and break negative or unhealthy patterns of behaviour. To do this they mix physical exercise with education and life coaching.

Currently, the organisation is seeing an increasing number of cocaine addicts who use their services. This is something they are also wanting to tackle as cocaine users are at the highest risk of having a serious cardiac event if they relapse.

The new heart-focused project will bring together vulnerable people who are recovering from addiction problems due to trauma experienced early in life. 180 Project UK have previously seen how their participants tend to make poor food choices due to a lack of knowledge about the importance of nutrition and varied diet. The project leaders have noticed how the lack of healthy food are important underlying factors leading to both mental and physical health problems.

This has shaped the new programme, which consists of preventative activities and educational content to inform and enable the participants to take interest and ownership of their own heart health, building their confidence and ability to help themselves. Each session will start with an hour’s CrossFit exercise to break down barriers and build trust. This is followed by therapeutic and educational workshops, covering topics like food and nutrition, stress management and barriers to change.

Caroline Sagar, Chief Executive at 180 Project UK, said:

‘We’ve seen the need for a project that focuses on heart health for people in addiction recovery, and we’re so grateful for the support from Heart Research UK to help us make it reality.

‘We’re hoping that by combining our successful CrossFit sessions with education around food and nutrition and wellbeing, we can reduce the risk of heart disease for the people who come to us.’

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said:

‘At Heart Research UK we’re proud to be able to fund a project that is so vital and well-needed in addiction recovery programmes. Just like 180 Project UK, our Healthy Heart Grants aim to help people live happier, healthier and longer lives.’

By Ebba Ritzen

A Wales community project supporting people with learning disabilities to become more heart healthy has received a £9,000 grant from Heart Research UK. The last two years have been particularly hard on people with learning disabilities, with many having to shield due to their vulnerability to COVID-19. A lot of people have struggled with reduced daily activities and lack of routine, and this has resulted in many becoming increasingly unfit and struggling to resume their fitness routine.

This inspired grantees Innovate Trust to develop an award-winning app that enabled people with learning disabilities to stay in touch with each other and participate in online activities. The organisation was also first in providing a supported living service in the UK when they opened their first home in 1974 in Ruthin Gardens, Cardiff.

They’ve now received a Healthy Heart grant for their new programme ‘Move It’, starting in May. The aim will be to build the participants’ physical and mental wellbeing through both online and in-person activities. This will enable the programme to reach a wide range of people, including those who cannot attend in person due to medical reasons, lack of confidence or transport issues. Those at risk of loneliness or isolation will be particularly encouraged to join the programme.

Apart from the physical activities, the programme will also provide lessons in cooking healthy meals and the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.

Lisa French, Participation Manager at Innovate Trust, said:

‘Innovate Trust are working to enable people with learning disabilities to live an independent, active and valued life within their community. In this programme, we’re hoping the participants will discover a new physical activity that they enjoy and that they’ll expand their social networks by making new friends.’

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said:

‘This project is a perfect example of what we want to achieve with our Healthy Heart Grants – supporting a community in making new connections and heart healthy choices.

‘We’re proud to be funding Innovate Trust in their aim of helping people with learning disabilities improve their mental and physical health.’

By Ebba Ritzén

Community groups that are helping local people look after their hearts can now apply for a £10,000 grant from Heart Research UK. One grant will be awarded to each of the 12 regions in the UK, with the first five grants of the year being funded by instore donations from Subway® restaurants across the country.The grants are available for new and innovative projects that promote healthy hearts and are aiming to reduce the risk of heart disease in their community.

Since 2001, Heart Research UK has awarded over 300 community grants, directly benefiting the hearts of over 70,000 individuals and countless wider community and family members across all regions of the UK.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the world’s biggest killers, and the aim of the Healthy Heart grants is to work preventatively within communities that may be marginalised or not have much access to health resources.

Projects should deliver health initiatives such as cooking skills, healthy eating and accessible exercise and should promote mental wellbeing and encourage people to be active. The grants are only available to not-for-profit organisations, including charities, community groups, voluntary organisations and sports groups.

The opening and closing dates for applications will be staggered across the regions, with Wales being the first to open on the 31st of January.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said:

“Through the Healthy Heart grants we hope to encourage people across the whole country to make healthier choices and give them practical help to do so. These grants are available to ensure everyone has the chance to benefit from a healthier, happier and longer life.

“We’re looking for new and innovative projects that really have an impact, especially if they aim to improve the health of at risk or hard to reach communities.”

Project title: Corkerhill Healthy Hearts Programme

Region: Glasgow, Scotland

Award amount: £9,642.60

Date: January 2022 – November 2022Nutrition Scotland were awarded a Healthy Heart Grant for their heart-healthy cooking programme which targeted residents in some of the most deprived parts of Corkerhill, who are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).The Problem

Heart disease is a major cause of death in Scotland, with people living in the most deprived areas at much greater risk. Glasgow is the most deprived city and local authority within Scotland. Additionally, Corkerhill is in the 2nd decile in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) with 1st being the most deprived and 10th being the least deprived. The Project

This project was a six-week cooking programme developed by Nutrition Scotland and supported by Pollock United. A total of 25 participants took part and learned about different nutritional topics each week. The sessions were two hours long and topics were linked to a heart-healthy recipe which participants would cook at Corkerhill Community Hub. Nutrition Scotland created a series of short animations to support participants’ learning, the videos were designed to convey heart-healthy food messages in an engaging and simple way. Participants were given factsheets and recipe cards to further support learning.

The Results

The programme was successful in increasing the skills and confidence of participants. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive and suggests the course was enjoyable for those in attendance. Most participants across all five courses reported increased knowledge and confidence around making heart healthy choices and cooking from scratch.

83% of participants said that the programme helped them to make more heart-healthy choices

100% of participants said the programme helped to reduce barriers to cooking from scratch

86% of participants said that they felt more confident about cooking from scratch

83% of participants said that the programme improved their knowledge of nutrition

100% of participants said that the programme helped them to meet new people

Andy, 42, from Corkerhill is a dad of two young children who joined the Healthy Hearts programme to learn a bit more about cooking and nutrition so he could help to make more nutritious meals for his family at home.Andy’s wife usually does most of the cooking, with Andy admitting “it’s only ever once in a blue moon I’d cook at home – and it’s always a curry!” Andy said he hoped Healthy Hearts would help him to learn new recipes to impress his wife and kids. Andy was introduced to new ingredients on the course – “I had never tried a sweet potato before, so it’s been great learning how to cook new vegetables and cook a bit healthier too”- and learned new kitchen skills like how to chop an onion and how to peel carrots and ginger.

The recipes, and some of the ingredients, were all new to Andy, and he had no problem getting stuck in and trying a bit of everything. He was also able to take the meals back to his family and get their feedback – every week he’d come in and say it was a success! He liked that his wife and kids were enjoying what he had cooked for them.

When asked about how he found the course Andy said: “The course has been great from start to finish.” He is now cooking more dishes at home for his family, and when asked for any other feedback he finished, “I’d say to anyone, especially other men who don’t know how to cook, just come and give it a go, the recipes are great!”Watch the project in action