Residents in Liverpool will soon be able to access a new weight management service, developed in consultation with local residents using behavioural insights.

Starting in January 2025, ICE Creates will deliver a Healthy Weight Service that offers various programmes to support families and adults in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Engagement and consultation will take place with stakeholders and communities to help embed the service across the whole City.

Currently, over half of adults in Liverpool have excess weight (63%), and one in four children are starting school overweight, or obese. This increases to one in three children aged 11 being overweight, or obese by Year 6.

The Healthy Weight Service will provide families and adults with the tools and practical support they need to achieve a healthier weight. The service will also include support for pregnant women and schools.

Support will include one-to-one coaching, “Weigh & Stay” groups, and Slimming World. The varied offer will combine digital and in-person elements, including an app for self-monitoring, bespoke support for targeted groups, a physical activity and leisure offer, “Weigh & Go” (a lighter-touch option), and maintenance support.

Coach-led sessions will also be available for children, young people and families, including group and one-to-one sessions on healthy living topics, complemented by the Best You App (www.best-you.org) and a 12-month maintenance plan.

There will also be a universal offer featuring a website, app, ‘Move it’ virtual gym, schools’ ‘Healthy Me’ programme and targeted campaigns.

This service will play a vital role in improving the health of residents and will sit alongside Liverpool’s ambitious Good Food Plan, which aims to ensure everyone in Liverpool has access to healthy, nutritious food.

To take part in the brand consultation, view job opportunities within the service, or find other ways to get involved, please visit: https://lcrwm.icecreates.com.

Reaction

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“It is fantastic that Liverpool will now have a Healthy Weight Service that focuses on supporting residents to make sustainable, long-term improvements to their health with a clear focus on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. This comprehensive offer demonstrates Liverpool City Council’s ongoing commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our population.”

Director of Public Health for Liverpool, Professor Matthew Ashton, said:

“We are delighted to offer a new Healthy Weight Service for the residents of our City. The service is a significant step forward in supporting families, adults, schools and the wider community to improve their health and wellbeing. The variety of support offered by the service ensures every family and adult has the support they need to make a positive change, regardless of their circumstances. It’s time we stopped the stigma around obesity, and this service is part of our commitment to a whole-system approach to tackling rising levels of obesity.”

Jayne Prendergast, HLS Operations Director, Ice Creates, said:

“As a Merseyside-based organisation, we are passionate about helping people in our communities re-address their relationship with food, supporting them to lose weight, get more active, and improve their overall health and wellbeing. We are excited to work as part of the whole-systems approach to improving the health of our population, particularly where the impact of excess weight is concerned, ensuring we are delivering in the heart of the communities that need support, while reducing weight-related stigma.”