Cornwall Exercise Scheme Helps Type 2 Diabetics Lose Weight and Improve Wellbeing

Two Cornish men reveal dramatic transformations after signing up to health-focused sessions

Two men from Cornwall living with Type 2 diabetes say they’ve lost weight, improved their fitness and feel mentally stronger after taking part in specially designed activity sessions at local leisure centres.

Steve’s Wake-Up Call in St Austell

Steve Williams, 51, from St Austell, described a visit to a Diabetes Activity Day at St Austell Leisure Centre in January as “a wakeup call”. After years working as a truck driver, he said, “I weighed twenty stone and knew a change in lifestyle was needed if I was to avoid long-term ill health.”

That visit introduced Steve to GLL’s Healthwise scheme, which offers half-price leisure centre membership. He signed up and had a one-to-one consultation with Healthwise Facilitator Steve Inglefield, who helped put together a personalised exercise plan. Steve’s progress is still being monitored by the team.

“I’ve lost about three stone in the last seven months and feel much fitter,” said Steve. “My mental health has improved, and I play pickleball, badminton, walking football each week – as well as doing basic circuit training.”

He added, “I’m so chuffed with what I and others in the group have achieved so far. It’s honestly been life changing.”

From Buggy to Two Miles on Foot

Over in Bodmin, 53-year-old Mark Phillips said he had limited mobility before joining Friday wellbeing walks at Bodmin Leisure Centre. Mark was using a buggy and weighed 26 stone when he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Now, 18 months later, he’s lost four stone and can walk nearly two miles in an hour.

“I’d become a couch potato and was feeling quite depressed,” he said. “I’m a massive football fan, and my goal was always to start taking part in the walking football session that Bodmin Leisure Centre offers on a Friday – which I now do.”

“I’ve come a long way, made good friends and feel so much happier. I’ve even got calf muscles!”

Supporting Health in Cornwall

The exercise sessions are run by GLL under the Better brand. GLL is a staff-owned social enterprise that manages nine leisure centres across Cornwall on behalf of the Council.

“It’s so rewarding to see the progress that Mark, Steve and the other participants have made,” said Karen Edmond, GLL’s Community Sport Manager in Cornwall.

Participants are referred through partner agencies including Active Cornwall, Diabetes UK, Practice Diabetic Nurses, Healthy Cornwall Active Travel Social Prescribers, The Cornwall Bicycle Project and the Arthritis Trust.

More information is available at better.org.uk/healthy-communities/better-health-for-me.