Project title: The Heart of the Matter
Region: South Lanarkshire, Scotland
Award amount: £15,000
Date: January 2025 – January 2026
This Healthy Heart Grant project has now finished, read on for the project highlights.
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. Feedback from community consultations highlighted the need for information, services and support surrounding heart health. MorphFit Gentle Movement Project provided this by running The Heart of the Matter project to prevent heart disease within South Lanarkshire.
The Project
The Heart of the Matter encouraged the community to live, learn, work and play healthier and happier. MorphFit Gentle Movement Project ran an 8-week program which focused on both physical activity and education surrounding heart health. The physical activity sessions consisted of gentle exercise, yoga, circuits and traditional style school games making these sessions accessible for all beneficiaries. They were educated on heart health and the factors that affect it such as diet, alcohol and smoking, with additional sessions focussing mindfulness and meditation.
Project Highlights:
MorphFit conducted health measurements at the start and end of each cohort, evidencing the impact the beneficiaries made. They found that 68% of beneficiaries experienced weight loss, and 45% saw a positive change in their blood pressure. It was also reported that participants have an increased knowledge and understanding of heart health and heart health risk factors, and have an abundance of resources to ensure their continuation of heart disease prevention. Service users report having connected and built meaningful relationships as a result of Heart of the Matter project.