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Lifestyle event for patients with learning disabilities
A pilot event for patients with learning disabilities, who are classed as obese, took place at Corby’s Lakeside Surgery with a focus on the diet, exercise and lifestyle options available for them locally.
Eligible patients from Corby surgery were invited by the Personalised Care Team and they, along with other health and fitness providers, set up the drop-in event in one of the surgery’s waiting rooms.
Paula Kelly, Frailty Manager for Lakeside Healthcare Corby and Brigstock Surgeries, said: ‘Our Learning Disability Patients and their carers may not be aware of all the activities and help tailored specifically for them and so this was a chance for them to talk with experts and service providers, and help us understand some of the issues they are facing.’
Michelle Hirst, Learning Disability Strategic Health Facilitator for Northamptonshire, said: ‘It may be the person with the learning disability doesn’t understand what healthy eating is or where they can access activities, so it is about getting the relevant information to both patients and their carers.’
Matthew Peleszok, Inequalities Lead for Northamptonshire Sport, said: ‘Across Corby, we have Northampton Saints delivering wheelchair rugby, Lodge Park Sports Centre is starting monthly wheelchair basketball sessions, and there is the Corby Town disability football team. We also work with some leisure centres that offer truly accessible opportunities, so we are working on making people aware of what is out there for them to be active.’.
Emma Conroy and Mae Campbell are social prescribers from Spring. Emma said: ‘We have a variety of different groups from crocheting to mental health services, and around 300 people around Corby and Kettering use our service. We assess what the individual wants to achieve and everything we do is fully accessible.’
Gary McQuade is Centre Manager at Active in Motion, based at Adrenaline Alley. He said: ‘We offer low impact powered exercise machines which means people can be fully passive and still move their body in all ranges of movement. People are given an induction and programme but it is not like a standard gym because each of the machines guide you through the movement, regardless of ability. We welcome people as young as ten years old and up to 90 years of age. We are open Monday to Friday 7 to 7 and a have a maximum of 12 people per session so it is not over-subscribed and we have a real community feel.’
Sabiha Ashfaq is a Prevention and Engagement Officer. She works for Living Well Taking Control who deliver a 12-week weight management programme for residents in North Northamptonshire and the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme for people in Northamptonshire. She said: ‘The 12 week Living Well Taking Control Weight Management Programme is a free behavioural support programme which is designed to help people lose weight, increase fitness, and build sustainable healthy habits.
‘The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free 9-month programme aimed at reducing a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. LWTC can offer face-to-face group sessions and one-to-one app support. We can also run tailored remote programmmes for individuals with additional needs such as a non-English programme or adaptations for visual or hearing impairments.
Published: Feb 9, 2026