The speaker at our most recent club meeting was Tracey Hudson from LiveWell Dorset.
Tracey explained the background to the setting up of the organisation, being to help people in Dorset live healthier lives. It was established by Public Health England and has operated in Dorset for three years. It focuses on key pathways – stopping smoking; alcohol reduction; weight management and becoming more active. For each of these pathways, Tracey explained the measures that are being taken and the help that is available to the public. The majority of referrals to date have been regarding weight loss.
Much of the service points people to help that is free or funded, depending on the extent of help that is required. Other areas of help may require some investment but the help that is provided carries regular ongoing support and follow-up over a period of up to a year in order to ensure that people have the best opportunity to make long-term changes for the better.
Tracey took questions from the floor, including those around how outcomes from the programme can be measured and how large food corporations can be persuaded to stock more lower fat and lower sugar products.
More information is available on their website.
On behalf of the club Dai Hounsell thanked Tracey for a most thought-provoking talk.