We run successful health education projects in selected geographical areas within the region. In the main, our project work aims to tackle the risk of obesity and chronic illness (such as Coronary Heart Disease, diabetes, stroke) by promoting the benefits of physical activity and healthy living. In this way, we help to meet the needs of local communities whilst contributing to health improvement targets of local authorities and NHS Primary Care Trusts.

WEA are rightly proud of our health projects; they have enabled thousands of adults to improve their health, fitness and life chances. Ofsted's recognition of our health education work as ‘outstanding' is particularly pleasing. The projects in this section describe some of the different ways we have worked with public sector and community organisations, to reach and engage with local people in imaginative ways.

Please see below and the links to the left for information about some of our health projects:

Community Health Education in Stoke-on-Trent (CHEST)

We have secured Big Lottery Funding (2012-2017) from the Reaching Communities programme to build on our successful ‘Exercise in the community' pilot project offering health education to adults from a wide range of backgrounds in Stoke-on-Trent.

CHEST project activities aim to improve health and wellbeing of people by reducing levels of obesity (as well as the risk of chronic illnesses like coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes), improving confidence to access public health service provision and promoting healthy lifestyle changes through preventative health education programmes.

NHS Stoke-on-Trent part-fund the CHEST project and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have funded our drop-in gym premises. Please click to read the Press Release or go to the Projects page.    

Big Lottery Fund Research Programme- Community Research for Better Health in the Midlands     

The WEA West Midlands Community Research for Better Health in the Midlands' project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Research programme. The project is currently in its second year and will run untill March 2013. The project investigates the barriers to regular exercise which people living in health deprived communities face and how these barriers can be overcome. The funding supports community research and works directly with adults within the inner city areas of Sandwell, Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham, particularly those at risk of obesity. The WEA will go on to design and deliver health education programmes in response to the needs of these communities. Please click here for a link to the original press release or click to go to the project's page.