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

The Problem

The area of High Wycombe has a lower life expectancy for both men and women than that of the counties (Buckinghamshire’s) average. Alongside this, it has a high proportion of physically inactive adults, compared with both the counties average and England’s, playing a part in the high proportion of obese adults that reside in this area. These adults are at a higher risk of having heart disease.

The Project

The Fit ChairBoys/ChairGirls project aimed to reduce participants risk of developing heart disease through education and physical activity. It provided educational workshops on heart disease and how to lower the risks, healthy eating, behaviour change and hydration. They encouraged participants to take part in different physical activity sessions such as pilates, speed walking and taekwondo, as well as educating them on the short, mid and long term benefits of being more active. Workbooks and activity resources were available for them to take home for future reflection and education, as well as to be able to share their knowledge with friends and family.

Project Highlights

The Wycombe Wanderers Foundation had 63 beneficiaries who engaged with their Fit ChairBoys/ChairGirls project. These individuals benefited from weight management support, further education on making healthy lifestyle choices and support on enhancing their quality of life. Although some participants did not meet the initial proposed criteria for the project, they still participated and benefited from the programme, building positive relationships and improving their mental wellbeing. Ultimately this project reached a wider audience than initially anticipated and proved beneficial in educating everyone on heart disease and the benefits of creating healthy habits.