Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) can support people with learning disabilities to be healthier; with thanks to a grant from the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP).
PCP Health Trainers are trained to offer advice on diet and nutrition, physical activity, goal setting, making changes and much more.
It is with particular thanks to £5,000 from GAMP’s Area Budget and £5,000 from the Neighbourhood Budget of the late Councillor Enid Paylor that PCP Health Trainers can work with groups and individuals, including family members and carers, to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle choices.
Ang Quinn, PCP Health Trainer said “Learning disabilities can make it more difficult to understand new information, learn new skills and communicate. This means some people with learning disabilities need help to live independently. For example, they may find maintaining a healthy weight difficult, and need help understanding information and advice about diet and nutrition, cooking and regular physical activity.
Being underweight or overweight raises the risk of serious health problems, and can affect their quality of life.”
The Health Trainer sessions encourage everyone to participate, have fun and learn about becoming healthier, it also includes one to one sessions.
Some of the comments from people PCP have helped include “the Health Trainer helped me realise I was eating too much of the wrong food.” And “I have really enjoyed the course, it’s taught me what is good and bad for me, I now eat a lot healthier”.
PCP are also looking to recruit volunteers to help with this project. Volunteers will receive full support and training to become Health Trainer Champions so they can work with the clients to help them become healthier.
For further information on the Learning Disability Health Trainer service contact PCP at the Pioneering Care Centre, Carers’ Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham DL5 4SF.  Tel: 01325 321234 email: healthtrainers@pcp.uk.net or visit www.pcp.uk.net