The main aims of Ipswich-based ActivLives is to support and motivate people to improve their physical and mental health and general wellbeing whilst keeping people connected with their communities.

The new project, ActivHearts Ladies Hub, will target women aged 55+, in particular those at high risk of heart disease. The weekly sessions will provide a non-judgmental place for women to meet to learn about healthy lifestyle, get advice and information from experts and also have a place to talk about their health and concerns with others.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of the UK’s biggest killers and in Suffolk, an estimated 100,000 people were affected in 2017.

It’s also estimated that high blood pressure affects more than a quarter of Suffolk’s population and that only four in ten adults in Suffolk with high blood pressure are both aware of their condition and are managing it properly. High blood pressure is a key risk factor for suffering a heart attack.

The women participating in the new project will receive a health check initially and will also give their feedback after each session on how they feel they’re meeting their goals. The community group is wanting to see if this more focused approach can better help support and motivate people to improve their lifestyle and health

The grant is part of Heart Research UK’s Healthy Heart Grants, awarded across the UK to local groups starting up new projects to improve the heart health of their community. ActivLives also received one of these grants back in 2013, for their Nordic walking programme for over 45’s mainly from deprived areas.