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Gateshead: Getting men to shed the pounds through football
The council is funding places on a healthy lifestyle football-based programme for overweight men, with around 90 per cent of those that take part loosing weight during the 10-week course. The initiative is being used as a stepping stone to get men into other activities as well as providing wider support.
Gateshead Council has teamed up with the MAN v FAT movement to offer overweight male residents the opportunity to take part in a 10-week healthy lifestyle football-based programme.
The MAN V FAT scheme, which is run in a number of different areas across the UK, combines weekly football sessions with workshops for men who have a BMI of over 27.5. Some 90 per cent of those who take part lose weight.
Participants spend an hour in the workshop covering topics such as diet, exercise and general lifestyle advice followed by an hour of football. They also get access to an online portal during the season which contains recipes, webinars, online exercise classes and other resources. WhatsApp groups are also established so the participants can encourage each other.
Scheme ‘is transformative’
Council Public Health Project Manager Josh Scott said: “There is a great atmosphere – everyone encourages each other and it has had a big impact on those who have taken part.
“They get extra points the more weight they lose so it creates a bit of friendly competition on top of the results of the football. But it is not just about physical health – it is good for mental health too.
“Many of these men are very isolated and have been struggling with depression and anxiety. Being part of something and meeting new friends is transformative.”
The project was launched in October in Gateshead and so far there have been two 10-week seasons. The council has committed to funding 80 places over the first year with referrals made by GPs and social prescribers as well as some self-referrals being accepted.
It is being paid for through a combination of public health funds and Active Through Football, the Football Foundation and Sport England national initiative to get people active through football.
Gateway to other activities
Mr Scott, who manages the Active Through Football project for Gateshead, said: “We have promoted MAN v FAT on social media and sent flyers around the areas we are targeting. Initially we just focussed on the east of Gateshead as that is our target area for the Active Through Football funding, but in the second season we extended it out to anyone with a Gateshead postcode because of the demand.
“We want to use it as a gateway into other activities we offer. We attend some of the workshops to signpost participants to what else we have on offer. That has focused on physical activities so far. We have an Active Travel team that run organised walks and runs and offer discounted access to cycles.
“There are a host of other options too, including other football sessions we run through Active Through Football alongside swimming, tennis and athletics. We are lucky in Gateshead in that we have such great sporting facilities.
“And participants can always stay on for another season and pay for their own MAN v FAT membership once they have had the benefit of our funded place.
“But we do want to look at expanding what we can do for participants. The great thing about local government is that we have all sorts of connections and services. We are looking to set up some volunteering opportunities and routes into education and training. We are finding that the people who are being accepted on to the MAN v FAT project have a number of different needs.”