Hearty Lives Newcastle

Hearty Lives Newcastle is a £100,000 project working in partnership with Newcastle Hospitals Trust and local charity HealthWORKS. We will provide a dedicated Community Health Trainer to help people in Newcastle who are at risk, or living with, heart disease.

Newcastle was chosen to receive funding due to the high rates of heart disease in the city. Over 100,000 people in the North East currently live with coronary heart disease, one in five Newcastle adults are classed as obese and one in three are classed as smokers. These factors, alongside the city having the 37th highest UK deprivation ranking, have created a life expectancy gap of over 12 years between some wards.

Patients attending hospital clinics often do not know how to take the next steps. Our Community Health Trainer will help them to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Our aim

• help patients and their families improve their lifestyles by providing advice and practical support around: smoking, stress, diet, alcohol, physical activity and obesity  
• refer people at risk of heart disease to a screening service
• raise awareness of local health services on offer.

More info

Keith, 53, from Dumpling Hall, and Joan, 62 from Jarrow, are just two people who are already reaping the benefits from lifestyle changes learned at Hearty Lives Newcastle.

Keith said:  “It’s very helpful and thorough with good trainer support. I’ve given up smoking and cut down on alcohol consumption and I’ve even joined a gym. I’m much more relaxed and able to cope with things.”

Joan said: “It is amazing and has changed my life. The trainers have been marvellous. I’m aiming to continue with my dancing, which I gave up when I became ill. You have to listen to your body and do what you think is right. Don’t give up.”

Hearty Lives Newcastle launched on January 17 at the Lemington Centre, Newcastle. The event was attended by over 50 local stakeholders, including heart patients, councillors, NHS Trust staff, health trainers and consultant cardiologists. The health trainers were also on hand to deliver blood pressure and cholesterol checks to attendees, a fitness competition was held in the gym and the Centre’s playgroup created heart themed mobiles to decorate the venue.

To find out more contact Area Development Manager Kevin Fitzpatrick  on fitzpatrickk@bhf.org.uk.