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.

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

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

In particular, 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 (2008 - 2011).

This is being achieved by providing access to free, local and structured bespoke exercise programmes in an adult education context making use of community venues and a limited amount of gym equipment that is stored and transported to various localities. Examples of courses that are offered include Keep Fit, Aerobics, Totally Toning Dance and Tone & Posture. The project targets adults (19+) from commuities residing within Burslem, Cobridge, Chell, Blurton, Shelton, Longton and Meir.

WEA from junction15 on Vimeo.

NHS Stoke-on-Trent part-fund the CHEST project and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have funded our drop-in gym premises.

• Project page

Learning for Health

Learning for Health is a project to develop course materials and digital resources for people affected by long-term health conditions like MS, Parkinsons or stroke and their carers or family members. The aim of the course is to build up participants’ understanding of their health, accessing peer support in the local area and on the internet, retaining mobility and maintaining wellbeing.

The course is being accompanied by digital media 'surgeries' to show people how to use digital tools in a range of ways such as learning to save money, photography or film-making and internet research.

The aims of the project are to pilot new forms of health education that are more accessible to people with different needs and to develop stronger networks between education, health and community groups. It is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as part of the Government’s Learning Revolution programme for informal adult learning.

• Project 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 has been successful in gaining funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Research programme. The Lottery’s Research Programme was set up to fund medical and social projects led by voluntary and community sector organisations.

The project begins in April 2010 and will be supported by the University of Leicester’s Institute for Lifelong Learning. The project will investigate the barriers to regular exercise which people living in health deprived communities face and how these barriers can be overcome. The funding will support community research and will work directly with 200 adults, 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 press release.

Worcestershire Health Improvement Fund- Community Education for Better Health

The WEA West Midlands successfully applied to Worcestershire Partnership Health Improvement Fund for a two year Community Health Education Project to help meet local health improvement targets. The project promotes the benefits of health education and physical activity through healthy lifestyle education programmes specifically designed to reduce the risk of circulatory diseases.

Outreach work is being undertaken to engage adults in the health hotspot areas in North Worcestershire. The project is also developing partnerships with other organisations such as Bromsgrove District Housing Trust.

The project provides taster sessions in addition to longer exercise programmes which are; low cost, easy to access, within community based venues, arranged in a culturally aware way and offer women/men only sessions. Examples of programmes include; Keep Fit and Aerobics, Dance, Healthy Heart, Chair Based Exercise, Outdoor Activities and Postural Stability (Falls Prevention). Please click here for a link to the press release.