Last week, the Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam and her team visited the award-winning 150Club in Newham to learn more about how sports can contribute to lowering health inequalities.
They visited various locations in London, including Newham, to find out more about providing community based interventions that could improve the link between life expectancy and socio-economic status.
The group was hosted by the West Ham United Foundation and said they were particularly interested in the award-winning community prescription programme in Newham.
Dr Tamara Hibbert, Newham CCG Diabetic Clinical Lead said: “With an increase in life expectancy and long-term conditions such as diabetes, it is vital we collaborate with community based services to support my patients.
“It’s great that news of our vision of community based interventions is reaching a global audience. We are thrilled that our friends from Holland took the time to visit Newham, which gave us an opportunity to share knowledge and improve care.
“As a local GP, I can refer patients to non-medical services that are available close to my patients and the practice. This could be through walking football, seated Zumba as we saw at the visit, or community groups where they can meet new friends to help with finding employment, advice on benefits or housing.”
150Club is a GP referral, community prescription programme delivered in Newham. Taking its name from the recommended amount of 150 minutes of exercise people should take per week, the 150Club is part of a bid to tackle high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Newham by helping people to stay healthier through a free 24-week programme. It aims to empower local people and enable them to take greater control of their own health through mentoring from a lifestyle advisor, nutritional advice and an offer of a range of inclusive exercise classes.
Anne De Leeuw, policy advisor in the social care department within the Mayoral delegation, added: "It was an extremely worthwhile visit. The Deputy Mayor, Simone Kukenheim, was very impressed with everything she saw and heard. It’s clear that Newham is delivering successful interventions around diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The effective person-centred approach is certainly delivering great results for residents, not only for health but for loneliness and isolation.
“It’s clear that GP’s and community services have really joined forces to combat health inequality, an inspiring aspect we are working towards in Amsterdam.
“Huge thanks to the Newham council, Newham CCG and everyone at West Ham United for showing us this innovative programme. We have already actioned incorporating elements of it into our services.”
Joseph Lyons, CEO of the West Ham United Foundation, noted the programme’s outstanding impact and recognition: “Since its inception in 2016 this programme has been excelling.
“In the last year, through the Players’ Project, it has received excellent support from first team players such as Pablo Zabaleta who recently helped us celebrate the 500th 150Club completer. Additionally, last week’s visit and recognition from the Mayor of Amsterdam’s Delegation further evidences how pioneering this programme is - not only across the local area but the UK and internationally.
“As a partnership, we are delighted to be able to help more people and continue to grow the impact of the programme.”