Wellbeing for life

Beverley (‘Bev’) Walker, a 59-year-old woman, has just recently completed the 12-session Eatwise programme with Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) and has described her ‘amazing’ journey. Before accessing WBFL, Bev was not in a good place mentally. Bev described her state at that time as: “not depressed as such, but down. I’ve gone through quite a lot of trauma, and my weight is affected by my emotions.” She moved up from Doncaster to look after her parents, and following the passing...

67-year-old Stephen Marshall from County Durham has achieved an impressive transformation – losing two stone, reducing his BMI to 33, and reversing his pre-diabetes diagnosis – with support from Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). Stephen initially weighed 20.5 stone, and his GP confirmed his BMI was 38, placing him in the obese category. He was also diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Alarmed by the news, Stephen accepted a referral to WBFL and joined the 12-session Eatwise programme. Previously diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary...

A group of residents Ireshopeburn and Upper Weardale have enjoyed the Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) Eatwise programme so much, that they’ve decided to continue meeting as a weekly social support group. Meeting in Ireshopeburn Community Centre, the group was led by Wellbeing for Life Community Connector, Nicole Martin. Over the weeks, with Nicole’s encouragement and through the shared support as a collective, the group made steady progress towards each of their individual goals. Nicole said of the group: “It’s been...

Dave Appleby has recently completed the 12-session Eatwise programme with Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). He has lost 53 lbs, he and his family now eat a healthy diet and exercise more and his mental health has been turned around. The process has also highlighted a heart condition which he is now receiving treatment for. His first encounter with WBFL was in September 2024 following a case of whooping cough earlier in the year. When combined with the effects of a...

We recently met with Kieren Kemp, a 26-year-old who overcame significant mental health challenges with the support of Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). Kieren’s story highlights the importance of personalised support and the impact of addressing both mental and physical wellbeing in tandem. Kieren had been through a difficult time in his life, leading him to a point of severe depression and suicidal ideation. Struggling with low self-esteem and being underweight, Kieren sought help from the County Durham Resilience service. He...

Leanne and Luke, a young couple from County Durham, have made huge steps in both physical and emotional wellbeing, thanks to the support of the Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) team and the Eatwise programme. Their story shows what’s possible with the right tools and determination and a bit of teamwork.  At just 29, Leanne was living with Type 2 diabetes and Fibromyalgia, conditions that had taken a toll on her daily life. She found herself caught in a cycle of...

Retired Teaching Assistant Angela and her husband moved from Rotherham to County Durham to have more access to the open countryside they enjoy. Following a visit to her new GP, blood tests results identified that Angela was at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A conversation with a dietitian led to Angela being referred to the Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) Eatwise programme. She’s since lost two stone in weight, changed her eating habits and is enjoying longer walks in the...

Retired 66-year-old Shaun Dickinson, has lost 44 pounds in weight and reversed pre-diabetes. He has gone from a self-confessed overweight couch-potato to having the inspiration to change his eating habits and join a gym, thanks to support from Wellbeing for Life. We had the opportunity to chat with Shaun recently about his experience with Wellbeing for Life and he explained: “My application for life insurance had been turned down after a GP’s report highlighted that I was pre-diabetic and had...

Local man and 15/19th The King’s Royal Hussar Veteran, 57-year-old Andy Denholm brought his blood pressure into healthy range, lost an incredible three stone and three pounds, improved his Body Mass Index (BMI) and mental health and is now embarking on a stop smoking programme. He achieved all of this with the support of the team at County Durham Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). Andy’s journey started early in 2024 with a routine GP health check which highlighted his blood pressure...

We recently met Carl Senior to chat about his experience with Wellbeing for Life and how it has changed his life over the last six months. Carl, originally from York, now lives in County Durham and worked in healthcare for over 20 years, most recently spending eight years working as a Healthcare Assistant with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. Carl has multiple health issues including Long Covid and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and after having difficulties throughout 2023 was...