Healthwise at West Denton helps support local people back into healthier lifestyles.

Healthwise at West Denton 

Healthwise at West Denton Leisure centre is a GP referral scheme that introduces individuals to benefits of physical activity. The scheme aims to assist managing existing medical conditions and help reduce factors of chronic disease. 

Healthwise has been running for just under 2 years at West Denton Leisure Centre but already it is helping over 100 people to get active and help them with the medical conditions.

Tracey has been on the scheme since March 2024 read her story below. 

Tracey's Story 

"My name is Tracey and I was referred to the Healthwise programme at the West Denton gym in March 2024 by my GP.

I was referred because of a number of health conditions maininly relating to being overweight, having limited mobility, walking with a crutch due to suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and poor Mental Health (Anxiety and Depression).

When I first walked through the doors, I was very timid, didn’t speak to many people and didn’t know what to do or what classes to attend.

My journey has been trial and error, I started Basic Circuits at West Denton and as I loved Aqua Aerobics I joined a couple of classes at Gosforth Pool.

After 6 months I was becoming frustrated as I wasn’t loosing weight although I had started to make friends at the West Denton classes. I bit the bullet and dropped my Aquafit classes and started Spinning classes in conjunction with basic circuits at West Denton.

I also started attending weight loss classes to monitor healthy eating.
Since Christmas 2024 I have attended Spinning Classes, Healthwise Circuits and Basic Circuits. I love it and have my routine of coming to the gym and seeing friends who I have made.

The staff are extremely supportive, offer help and assistance where I need it and give me encouragement to always try harder. Pavel regularly monitors my progress and is always on hand to suggest changes or improvements to my diet or workouts.

I can now walk without walking aids (crutch, rollator or scooter) when at the gym although I do still need them when outside the gym and for longer distances or when I’m out shopping as although my mobility has improved I will always have MS which affects my walking and balance.

I’ve also lost a whopping 3 1/2 stone (22.68kg) which has many health benefits not to mention improving my mental health as I’m so much more confident and outgoing.

I would strongly encourage anyone with health needs to speak to their GP and request a referral to the scheme as it’s given me a new lease of life and my own community of friends."

Tracey is also participating in the GNR in aid of the MS (Multiple Sclerosis)Society. While she won’t be running the distance she’ll be using walking aids with the help of fellow MS Volunteers.