Lewisham council will pilot a new 12-week weight management programme tailored to people of Black African and Caribbean heritage.

The free course hopes to help residents of the borough achieve a healthier lifestyle and offers cooking lessons, nutrition coaching and exercise plans.

Billed as teaching participants to live happier lives, the initiative is called Up! Up! and the council is currently calling for volunteers.

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Of the initiative, Catherine Mbema, director of public health for Lewisham council, said: “We are really pleased to launch this new free service as part of our ongoing work to address health inequalities for those of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage in Lewisham.

“Our partners at Food for Purpose, Kings College London and Guys and St. Thomas’ have worked with our Black African and Black Caribbean communities to develop Up!Up! to meet community needs around health and wellbeing, which is particularly important after the last few years of the pandemic.”

Catherine also encouraged interested parties to reach out via email or telephone on February 15.

She wrote on Twitter: “Lewisham council is piloting a new 12-week weight management programme 'Up!Up!' specifically tailored to people of Black, African & Caribbean Heritage.

“For more info or to join the programme for free call 020 7188 2020 (option 1) or ask your GP for a referral form to complete.”

An accompanying graphic read: “Up! Up! Living lighter the African and Caribbean way!

“A twelve-week free programme for people of Black, African and Caribbean heritage exclusively in Lewisham.

“To join our programme for free, choose one of the following options: Ask your GP to refer you to Up! Up! Or email gst-tr.up.up@nhs.net.”

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