Slimming World backs government campaign urging the public to get COVID-19 vaccine
As the country gradually starts to enjoy more freedom, the government has invited Slimming World to join a campaign to urge people aged 50 and under to get their COVID-19 vaccine when their turn comes.
The ‘every vaccination gives us hope’ campaign encourages people, due to be offered vaccines in the second phase of the rollout, to join the millions of people who have already received their jabs.
The campaign will predominantly be aimed at people under the age of 50 who will be offered their first dose, as well as the over 50s who are booked in for their second dose, to encourage vaccine uptake and highlight the significant role the vaccine is playing in preventing infections, hospitalisations and deaths.
Slimming World is already encouraging its Consultants to take the twice weekly home Covid tests, where they are available, to offer an extra layer of security to them and their members on top of the stringent measures already in place to keep groups safe.
Jenny Caven, Director of External Affairs for Slimming World, says that the excitement amongst Consultants and members is mounting as groups look to reopen on 17 May, with measures in place to ensure that everyone is protected and Covid-safe, smaller, shorter sessions. Jenny says: “While our Consultants have supported members through virtual groups during the pandemic, we’re all extremely keen to get back to real life groups. We know that accountability of stepping on the scales in physical groups is the most effective way of achieving success and we’ve already seen members returning to weigh in as restrictions have eased.
Slimming World is working hard to ensure that our groups are safe for everyone we welcome back through the doors and we believe that the feeling of safety and reassurance that we are all vaccinated will give us all extra confidence as we get back to normal.
Angela Crosby from York has been a Slimming World Consultant and Team Developer for 22 years and is counting the days to seeing her members face-to-face again. Angela said: “I was delighted to be offered the vaccine and couldn't wait to make my appointment. Protecting myself and others was very important to me both personally and professionally.
“Being back in group will be just amazing, talking to friends face to face - we really are family and I've missed them so much!”.
Slimming World target member Anne Boulton is a great supporter of the vaccine programme after having to shield throughout the pandemic. Anne said: “As a member who was classed as extremely vulnerable, I was lucky enough to have my second vaccination in March. I felt so grateful as it gave me confidence to leave my house.
“I have lost 3 stone and have been at target for 4 years thanks to the support of the group; my husband John lost and maintained 2 1/2 stone by following the eating plan and becoming more active.
“Recently I helped with the socially distanced weigh-in and it felt great. I missed my Slimming World friends so much and it was lovely to see their smiles. I look forward to Wednesdays, it’s one of the highlights of my week.”
Commenting on the ‘every vaccination gives us hope’ campaign, Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The UK vaccination programme will go down in history as one our greatest triumphs in the battle against COVID-19.
“Vaccines are helping us get back to doing the things we love - like seeing friends, family and loved ones. This campaign is a remarkable and poignant reminder of everything we’ve been through as a country and everything we have to look forward to - as well as the tireless efforts of our NHS heroes.
“Every vaccination gives us hope and I urge everyone to take up the offer of a vaccine when it comes, as we continue on the path back to normality.”
Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in Derbyshire in 1969 and has become the UK and Ireland’s leading weight loss organisation with more people choosing to attend a Slimming World group each week than any other weight loss programme. We support hundreds of thousands of people, both in our groups and online, to lose weight and to adopt new habits to stay slim for life.
Over the years our founding principles haven’t changed:
- Our unique programme is based on a powerfully motivating support system called IMAGE (Individual Motivation and Group Experience) Therapy. Underpinned by a deep understanding of the psychology of overweight people, and incorporating the most effective sustainable behaviour change techniques, IMAGE Therapy is designed to inspire and motivate slimmers to make positive changes and to develop new, healthier habits around food and activity.
- Food Optimising is our healthy eating plan, based on the liberating concept of Free Food. We encourage our members to fill up on those foods that are naturally lower in energy density (calories per gram) and also highly satisfying while limiting foods that are highest in fat and sugar and are less satisfying, so they lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived and without having to weigh, measure or count everything they eat.
- Our activity programme, Body Magic, encourages members to become more active, more often in ways that they enjoy, until regular physical activity becomes an intrinsic part of daily routine.
Above all, at the heart of everything we do, lies our passion for treating every member with genuine care, empathy and respect.
We’re proud to work with the NHS, Public Health England, The Royal College of Midwives and others to help shape the future of weight management in the UK.
For more information about Slimming World’s approach visit slimmingworld.co.uk. Follow Slimming World on Twitter at www.twitter.com/slimmingworld or become a Slimming World fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/slimmingworld
For the Press Office visit our newsroom or email public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk