Come on fellas, let’s shape up

Dale Newton, Age UK Oldham Health Wellbeing Activity Coordinator ready to launch Slimmin’ Without Women.

MEN aiming to get back into shape are being given a helping hand with the launch of a new scheme — Slimmin’ Without Women.

Run by Age UK Oldham and supported by NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the 12-week course, taking place in Werneth, aims to tackle obesity in men over 50 using chair-based exercises, dietary advice, weigh-ins and walking football.

The number of people classed as obese in the UK has trebled in the last 25 years and people are becoming more susceptible to conditions such as strokes, bowel cancer and even dementia and depression.

Age UK Oldham health wellbeing activity coordinator Dale Newton, who also formed Oldham Athletic Ladies football club, is hoping Slimmin’ Without Women will be a success and make an impact on the statistics.

Taking place at Werneth Cricket Club, the sessions will start on Wednesday, August 13, 6-8pm and will feature rising exercise craze known as walking football.

Played without running, the cardiovascular sport helps to improve balance and co-ordination.

Future plans for the programme include father and son sessions, health talks from professional sportspeople and gardening and construction classes to build-up fitness.

It is also hoped that more sessions will spring up around other areas of Oldham.

Granted £11,000, the Slimmin’ Without Women programme was one of 23 pilots to receive funding following a “Dragons’ Den” initiative organised by the CCG, where a £600,000 pot of innovation funding was allocated to health programmes across the borough. Dr Ian Wilkinson, chief clinical Officer for NHS Oldham CCG, said: “Our aim is to commission high-quality care which is safe and appropriate and this programme does exactly that.

To find out more about Slimmin’ Without Women email dale.newton@ageukoldham.org.uk or call 07841 344 196.
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