Hearty Lives Rotherham

women runningHearty Lives Rotherham is a £100,000 project working in partnership with six local organisations. It aims to improve cardiovascular health among adults with learning disabilities.

A Health Needs Assessment of adults with learning disabilities in Rotherham found:

  • 69 per cent of respondents did no exercise
  • 37 per cent of female were obese
  • 16 per cent of male were obese

Cardiovascular disease is the second most common cause of death for people with learning disabilities and the risk is increasing as people live longer and are exposed to more risk factors through community living. Obesity and a lack of physical activity are common among adults with learning disabilities.

Our aim

To reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among adults with learning disabilities by giving them the knowledge and resources they need for a healthier lifestyle through:

  • healthy eating and weight management courses
  • structured physical activity programmes
  • walking groups
  • an annual ‘Olympics’ event
  • onward referral to specialist weight management and smoking cessation support

Our partners

More info

For more information about Hearty Lives Rotherham please contact Area Development Manager Steph Dilnot at dilnots@bhf.org.uk.