Our ‘My Health’ programme supports adults with a learning disability and/or autism to make sustainable changes to their eating and exercise habits. The course helps members understand how to take care of themselves in a way that allows them to lose weight, improve their health and feel great. Members will feel empowered to make simple, enjoyable changes to their lifestyle that make a big difference to how they feel and unlike other ‘diets’ the course is structured to make these habits last a lifetime.

My Health is delivered over 1 year, starting initially with 8 weekly 2-hour sessions.

Members will then attend monthly 30-minute sessions that provide ongoing support and check-ins to monitor weight and other health markers.

Each 2-hour session in weeks 1 – 8 is delivered with a mixture of classroom activities and practical exercises such as cooking. Each session also includes 30-minutes of exercise, suitable for all fitness levels and additional needs, allowing members to try a range of options to get more active.

Topics covered include:

• The cycle of change
• Choosing healthier options
• Food groups
• Portion sizes
• The risks of excess sugar and alcohol
• Managing hunger and comfort eating
• Confidence building
• Positive body image
• Enjoying exercise

To complement the course we actively encourage and support members to take up additional exercise opportunities within Sheffield Mencap and Gateway and also out in the community. We are currently building up partnerships with leisure centres across Sheffield to enable exercise to be accessible to all.

Please contact us to find out more or apply here to book your place on the next healthy lifestyle course.

Nicola completed a healthy lifestyle course at Sheffield Mencap and Gateway in 2021.

I liked the course, and it was good to meet new people. It helped me learn to measure out my food in the right portion sizes. I now have a fitness tracker and I always make sure that I do my steps every day.