Acceptance Criteria:

An individual who satisfies all the following eligibility criteria (and none of the exclusion criteria) is eligible to access the weight management service:

• Aged sixteen years or over*
• Resident, or registered with a GP practice, in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees
• Motivated and ready to make behaviour changes

* Safeguarding and service provision processes must be in place for 16/17 year olds. There is no upper age limit, however appropriate support should be given to older adults, taking into consideration the risk of muscle mass loss, and older service users will be encouraged to liaise with their GP.

In addition they should meet the following criteria for self-referral:

• BMI 30+ (27.5+ for people of Black African, African-Caribbean and Asian origin)

Or they should meet one or more of the following criteria for referral from a healthcare professional:

• BMI 30+ (27.5+ for people of Black African, African-Caribbean and Asian origin)
• BMI 25+ with controlled comorbidities (23+ for people of Black African, African-Caribbean and Asian origin)
• Waist measurement more than half their height

Note – if a participant does not wish to provide weight / waist measurements, but a healthcare professional assesses them as experiencing overweight or obesity and that the weight management service would be beneficial for them, they will still be able to access the service via referral from a healthcare professional.

Exclusion Criteria:

The ethos of the service is to be accessible to as many people as possible, and reasonable adjustments will be made to support people to access it.  However, an individual who meets any one or more of the following exclusion criteria is not eligible to access the Service and will not be eligible for referral:

• An individual who does not meet the eligibility criteria as defined above
• Severe/moderate frailty as recorded on a frailty register
• Is pregnant
• Has an eating disorder
• Has a significant unmanaged co-morbidity (unmanaged meaning not on medication and/or not subject to regular clinical review or have not completed a current active management programme. Where there are any concerns that this might be the case, the individual’s GP will be consulted before commencement of the programme)
• Has had bariatric surgery in the last two years
• Has type 1 diabetes / newly diagnosed diabetes and has had no clinical input
• Has profound and multiple learning disabilities (unless actively supported by their Clinician or Carer)
• Has learning disabilities and demonstrates behaviours that challenge (unless actively supported by their Clinician or Carer)
• Mental health or learning disabilities in-patients (unless actively supported by a member of in-patient staff)
• Has an underlying medical cause for obesity and would benefit from more intensive clinical management than a tier 2 service
• Head and neck cancer patients unless explicitly supported by their Consultant Oncologist

Courses are now running on a weekly rolling basis meaning more spaces will be available throughout the year.

As soon as a position becomes available participants will be able to book onto the course.

The programme is delivered across all Tees Active venues – Billingham Forum, Stockton Splash, Thornaby Pavilion and IB Leisure.

We operate sessions at different days and times at each venue so if a particular venue doesn’t suit your availability we’re sure one of our other venues will. We can discuss specific course days/times with you in more detail in your initial consultation.

The course is completely FREE to attend and is funded by Stockton Borough Council in partnership with Activ8 Health & Fitness.

Your journey will begin with an initial one to one consultation.

At your one to one consultation a member of our Health Team will run through everything you need to know and you will have an informal discussion about what you aim to achieve from the 12 week programme and how to get started. You will also be able to select a convenient date and time to start on the course.

This will also include a health check where you will have the opportunity for us to take your current weight, BMI, waist measurement and blood pressure. We will be able to use these readings as a comparison at the end of the programme. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns that you may have.

When you are accepted onto the scheme you will be given the option to choose from a number of courses at one of our venues. It is essential that you attend a 1 hour group education session at the same time each week, so we advise choosing a course that offers the most suitable time so that you can attend each week. In addition to the group session we will also prescribe an exercise programme and we advise attending three times a week to achieve the best results and create long term habits.

The group sessions provide a friendly and supportive environment for participants to share ideas, engage and learn about the food they eat. The knowledge you acquire will help you to make a long term change to your lifestyle. Topics will include an in depth look at sugars, fats, carbohydrates, food labelling, physical activity and mental wellbeing. These sessions will help you to understand your diet more and how the choices you make can impact your weight and health.

Our health team are highly qualified and experienced and will ensure you find the sessions rewarding and worthwhile with lots of take home information to begin changing your lifestyle.

This will also include a health check where you will have the opportunity for us to take your current weight, BMI, waist measurement and blood pressure. We will be able to use these readings as a comparison at the end of the programme.

Participants can also be assessed on the Tanita body assessment machine available at all of our fitness clubs. Tanita gives you accurate body measurements that go far beyond weight and body fat. Results include: body mass index, muscle mass, bone mass, visceral fat, basal metabolic rate (how many calories your body needs) and metabolic age (the age your body thinks you are).

When you arrive for your first session our team will help you to download and set up the relevant fitness app on your smartphone or tablet. Here you can view your body assessment results and also receive your fitness plan at the click of a button. If you do not have a smartphone alternative options will be available.

We will work with you to find the right activity that will fit with your lifestyle and work for you. Options include 12 weeks free access to our Activ8 fitness services, gym, swimming and studio fitness classes. We also encourage you to stay active in other ways e.g walking and cycling. For a selection of routes please click here.

Please note that current Activ8 members will not receive a free activity pass as they are already engaged with an active lifestyle. The health team and gym team will help you put a fitness programme together if required.

Your health advisor will support you throughout your journey on the programme during weekly 1 hour sessions and in addition to their support we have a community Facebook page so that you can engage with other participants on the course and ask for additional advice and support.

Our team will provide you with nutritional support and education within the weekly group sessions.

When you arrive for your first session our team will help you to download and set up the relevant fitness app on your smartphone or tablet. Here you will be able to view your tailored training plan, connect to gym equipment, watch exercise demonstrations and track all of your exercise.

You can also link with other popular apps such as Strava, Fitbit and MyFitnesspal meaning you can monitor everything all in one place including what you are eating, your weight loss and activity levels. Our instructors will also always be on hand to offer further ongoing advice and support.

Current Activ8 members can enrol onto the course and receive the many benefits and substantial support however please note that current Activ8 members will not receive a free activity pass as they are already engaged in an active lifestyle. The health team and gym team will help you put a fitness programme together if required.

At the end of the 12 week programme you will be required to attend a one to one end consultation. Here you will be asked for general feedback regarding the course and will be asked to fill out a survey. We will also be able to do the relevant body assessments (weight, BMI, waist measurement and blood pressure) so we can make a comparison to your initial one to one consultation at the start of the programme.

If you wish to continue accessing Activ8 Health & Fitness’s facilities we will help you to get the relevant membership. As a Lite 4 Life participant your joining fee will be waived saving you £25.

After your 12 weeks on the Lite 4 Life programme have been completed, you will receive 8 weeks of free follow on sessions. These sessions will give you the opportunity to get weighed and also to ask for any further advice or support to help you to continue on your fitness journey. In your final session on the Lite 4 Life programme your coach will give you more information on how to access the further 8 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

The ethos of the service is to be accessible to as many people as possible, and reasonable adjustments will be made to support people to access it. However, an individual who meets any one or more of the following exclusion criteria is not eligible to access the Service and will not be eligible for referral:

• An individual who does not meet the eligibility criteria as defined above
• Severe/moderate frailty as recorded on a frailty register
• Is pregnant
• Has an eating disorder
• Has a significant unmanaged co-morbidity (unmanaged meaning not on medication and/or not subject to regular clinical review or have not completed a current active management programme. Where there are any concerns that this might be the case, the individual’s GP will be consulted before commencement of the programme)
• Has had bariatric surgery in the last two years
• Has type 1 diabetes / newly diagnosed diabetes and has had no clinical input
• Has profound and multiple learning disabilities (unless actively supported by their Clinician or Carer)
• Has learning disabilities and demonstrates behaviours that challenge (unless actively supported by their Clinician or Carer)
• Mental health or learning disabilities in-patients (unless actively supported by a member of in-patient staff)
• Has an underlying medical cause for obesity and would benefit from more intensive clinical management than a tier 2 service
• Head and neck cancer patients unless explicitly supported by their Consultant Oncologist