Eight weeks ago, 46 year old Darren was paying for a gym membership but rarely attending – however since joining Derby County Community Trust's Health and Wellbeing programme, has found the motivation to take to the treadmill once more.

Like many, the Coronavirus lockdowns resulted in Darren putting on weight and becoming lethargic in his approach to leading an active and healthy lifestyle.

However, an email from his GP, one of the Trust's project partners, inspired the former Royal Airforce Police officer to change his habits – joining the Health and Wellbeing programme and starting a journey to a better lifestyle.

“As soon as I read through what the programme could offer, I thought it looked interesting and got in contact with the Trust – that was eight weeks ago and I’ve seen a massive difference already.

“When I first started I was struggling with running, so the staff put me onto a run and walk programme. In the first week it took me around 21 minutes to do a mile and a half run/walk which coming from my background, showed how unfit I’d got.

“Now I’m down to just over 16 minutes, so in that short time frame I’ve already knocked off five or so minutes – I’ve also noticed a reduction in the size of my belly and I can fit into clothes that I wore prior to the first lockdown. I don’t think I realised during that time how much weight I’d actually put on”

Coming from an active background, Darren was a member of a gym but found the battle with anxiety too much.

“Sometimes it can feel very awkward going to a gym because you’ve got guys there pumping the weights, the ultra fit people – it’s social anxiety as much as anything, when you’re struggling with past injuries and are slightly overweight, you think – do I belong here?

“There’s not a chance at all that six months ago, I’d have ever pictured myself getting to this point – I’ve been a member of a gym for a quite a few years, paying the membership fees but a lot of the time I wasn’t actually going because trying to motivate yourself to go on your own is very difficult.

“What I’ve found with this programme is that I’m motivated to come to it, I actually want to come to it and that’s down to the coaches, who do a really good job in keeping us enthusiastic – it’s made a massive difference.

“When you go to a normal gym, after your induction, unless you’re willing to pay extra for a personal trainer, you’re completely on your own – it’s up to you whether you actually do anything, or even turn up.

“With a session like this, you feel motivated by the other people that are here because they’re in the same situation as you – you’re made to feel welcome straight away, everyone encourages everyone else, the coaches are really supportive in showing you new techniques and make things as easy as they can for you.”

Derby County Community Trust works in partnership with the Derby City North PCN (Primary Care Network), and our Health and Wellbeing programme aims to help patients with long term health conditions to lead more active lifestyles.

The project aims to tackle health inequalities faced by patients and deliver bespoke exercise plans which ensure they can get fitter and lose weight safely.

The GP surgeries involved are Osmaston Surgery, Wilson Street, Macklin Street, Horizon Healthcare, Friar Gate Surgery and Derwent Medical Centre. The project is exclusively for registered patients of these surgeries.

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