At a time of year when retailers rush to promote new, health-focused products, the partnership and the established, best-selling Free Food range at the heart of it has stood the test of time after a decade in stores.

Slimming World and Iceland launched the range, which is the only range developed in line with Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, in February 2015. Today the meals, meat products, sides, lunch bowls and sauces sell in Iceland and The Food Warehouse, with filled pasta, naan breads and pancakes all added to the range for the first time earlier this month. Lots of the products are also available in Dunnes Stores in Ireland, too.  

In an unprecedented move, thousands of Slimming World Consultants will visit stores across a single coordinated week from 10^th to 18^th January – marking the first time the organisation has mobilised its local support network at this scale to engage directly with shoppers in‑store.

The innovative campaign aims to bring Slimming World’s supportive, community‑led weight‑loss experience to life, giving customers the chance to meet Consultants, discover how Slimming World’s groups work and explore the Free Food range – developed to make healthier eating accessible, satisfying and convenient.

The products are perfect for people following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan or anyone who wants to eat more healthily and is short on time, and they’ve become a firm favourite among members and shoppers alike. This January the packaging has had a makeover, making it even easier for consumers to see the high nutritional value of the range, including highlighting protein and fibre content as well as how many plant varieties each meal or product contains.

Throughout the week, Consultants will be on hand in stores to:

• Offer practical advice and guidance on getting started with healthy eating
• Share information about local Slimming World groups and weekly support
• Introduce shoppers to the Free Food range and highlight how it supports real-life weightloss success.

Slimming World’s Director of Food Allison Brentnall says: “This is the first time we’ve brought together our Consultants across the UK and Ireland in such a coordinated way, and it marks an exciting moment in our partnership with Iceland, The Food Warehouse and Dunnes Stores. Our Free Food range is designed to make healthy, satisfying meals simple and accessible for everyone, and having our Consultants in store means shoppers can discover not only the products themselves but also the powerful support that Slimming World groups offer every week.

“It’s a truly innovative activation that brings our brand, our values and our community spirit directly to customers at a time of year when we know lots of people will be thinking about making changes, whether that be eating more healthily or losing weight.”

What’s new? 

• Bright, modern design – including a new masthead and updated fonts with a fresh, joyful feel
• Even more real-life inspiration – members’ own photos, recipes and weight-loss questions take centre stage with eight incredible real-life success stories featuring in the January/February 2026 issue
• Food that fits real life – readers can enjoy down to earth, tasty dishes and cooking ideas for everyday eating. The new issue alone boasts 110 recipes and tips
• Behind-the-scenes access – readers can have a peak behind the curtain at photoshoots, including this issue’s cover star, Eleanor’s
• Practical strategies and advice – the psychology of weight loss and behaviour change made accessible 

Editor Sara Ward says: “Our whole team are excited to share this special new issue! We’ve given the magazine a vibrant new look that reflects the joy of healthy weight loss, while maintaining the essence of what our readers know and love. Slimming World Magazine has always been about making weight loss work in the real world and this January/February 2026 issue brings that to life more than ever. With inspiring real-life member stories, practical strategies and food ideas that fit into everyday life, it's the perfect tool to help readers start afresh for the new year.” 

This update comes amid a wider brand refresh, with Slimming World introducing their new logo, better-than-ever eating plan and pacier, success-boosting group support this January.  

Sara adds: “To celebrate all of the exciting updates happening, it felt like the perfect time to give the magazine a facelift too. Every page champions real people and real lives so readers can identify with the people featured and see and believe that they could achieve the very same goals. From members’ own photos and recipes to answering readers’ real weight-loss questions, we’re showcasing the genuine success and incredible journeys happening in our community right now in a more relatable way than ever before." 

Slimming World Magazine was launched in 1998 by Slimming World founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, who passed away in February 2025. She wanted to create a magazine that provided even further support and inspiration to people on their weight loss journey and reflected Slimming World’s warmth, empathy and understanding.  

Nearly 27 years later, the magazine is still produced in Alfreton, the only one of the UK’s ten top-selling titles created outside London – and independently too! 

Trailblazing from the get-go, the publication was one of the first to feature everyday people, rather than models or celebrities on its covers. Real-life Slimming World members continue to exclusively star on the cover and pages of every single issue. This innovative spirit and focus on real lives continues to drive the title and is at the heart of their refresh.  

Sara says: “Margaret’s fervent wish was that her friends and colleagues at Slimming World keep on changing lives when she was gone and create a better world for the next generation. We’re excited for the role this new era of the magazine will play in us fulfilling that wish.” 

Pick up the new issue of Slimming World Magazine at your local Slimming World group at a discounted price of £2.95 or on newsstands for £4.99. 

Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win, which is back for its fifth series, has captured the nation’s attention with its unique feel-good format, giving contestants the chance to climb a never-ending money ladder by taking on questions where every answer is a number.   

It is the first time Slimming World has sponsored a TV show in its 56-year history and comes as the brand launches a new look, including a brand-new logo, for January 2026. It also coincides with exciting changes to the organisation’s much-loved healthy eating plan and the terminology surrounding the programme coming into effect.  

Head of Marketing and External Communications Anika Devaney says: “January is always a time when many people are thinking about making positive changes. This January, we’re better placed than ever – with updates to our language, innovations to ensure our healthy eating plan is bang up-to-date with the latest health, advice and research, and pacier-than-ever support in our weekly groups – to help members achieve their weight loss dreams, whatever they might be.  

“Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win is the perfect place to share our message of support and inspiration this new year. Just like the show’s contestants, our members discover that with the right encouragement and guidance, they too can celebrate life-changing wins and health-changing moments – their potential is limitless! And importantly, they do it alongside others and have a great time along the way, just like the people who appear on the show.” 

The new series of Ant & Dec's Limitless Win starts Sunday 11th January, 8pm on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player and 17^th January on Virgin Media in the Republic of Ireland

For more information about Slimming World and its weight-loss support, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk. – ends –  

Race for Life allows participants to take part in a 3k, 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy to raise money for research into cancer. And there’s never been a better time for Slimming World members and their family and friends to enter because, to celebrate the partnership, those attending the organisation’s 7,700 community groups or Slimming World Online can now sign up to take part in their local Race for Life 2026 event for a fabulous 35% off of their entry fee if they sign up to Race for Life between 2nd and 31st January – just use the promo code SWJAN26 on the official Race for Life website to redeem your offer.*

If you’re not yet a Slimming World member, you can search for a local group or find out more about our digital-only service, Slimming World Online.

Full terms and conditions: 
*35% off entry is available to the first 5,000 people who enter Race for Life using the promo code SWJAN26. Spaces are subject to availability. The promo code will show as invalid once 5,000 redemptions have been made. Event registration closes approximately 24 hours prior to the chosen event. The code is valid until 23:59 on 31st January 2026.

“That’s exactly what happens in our Slimming World groups each week. Members come together with a common goal of reaching the weight or size they want to be, and as well as achieving their own goals they help, support and motivate others to hit their targets. And on top of that they’ve raised money for this hugely important cause too.

“It’s not surprising though because I truly believe there’s nowhere quite like a Slimming World group. We know that even after one session at Slimming World, almost every new member leaves filled with self-belief, self-confidence and self-determination.[1] The support, motivation and accountability that comes from losing weight alongside people who understand how it feels to live with overweight and to want to make a change cannot be replicated.

Since 2013, Slimming World has raised money to help fund essential life-saving research and raise awareness that losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight brings big benefits including the reducing risk of developing 13 types of cancer.

The partnership between Slimming World and Cancer Research UK was important to Slimming World’s founder, Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, who passed away in February this year. In 1997 Margaret founded the charity SMILES – Slimmers Making It A Little Easier For Someone – which has raised millions of pounds for a range of charities close to Margaret’s heart.

Staff at Slimming World’s Head Office in Alfreton, Derbyshire, are also passionate about supporting the charity. Earlier this year, staff at the Derbyshire-based Slimming World HQ took to the local woods for a group walk in celebration of another successful year sponsoring Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life series.

Eve Mitchell, Associate Director of Supporter Relationships at Cancer Research UK, says “We’re so thankful to Slimming World members, Consultants and Head Office staff for all their fantastic work in raising £30m since 2013. From donating clothes through the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw to lacing up your trainers for Race for Life, every pound raised is helping to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”

[1]Between 2nd and 31st January 2024, 7,106 Slimming World members who joined their local group that week completed an online survey asking for their feedback about their experience. The survey found 98% were committed to their weight loss, 96% felt that they could lose weight and keep it off, 97% were motivated to make changes to their lifestyle in order to lose weight and 89% were more confident to manage the things that had previously got in the way of them losing weight.

The project will conclude with the development of a Satiety Map (SatMap) system as presently there is no reference system relating food items to a measure of satiety. The map will be formed from a large representative sample of foods applied to a diverse range of consumer groups, including people who are trying to manage their weight.  

As part of the development of SatMap, a wide range of foods, representative of those consumed by the general population, have been surveyed to help understand their perceived satiety value and impact on reward and weight management. A subsample has also been tested in a lab environment, where participants consumed the food and fed back on measures of satiety.  

Researchers at the University of Leeds anticipate that SatMap could serve as a shared reference system for academics and the food sector, helping to standardise how satiety is quantified across studies and products. Over time, the approach could inform healthier product development and evidence-based guidance that aligns pleasure and fullness as two pillars of sustainable eating. 

Dr Sarah Bennett, Registered Nutritionist and Senior Research Associate at Slimming World, says: “Slimming World are proud to be funding this research with the University of Leeds. There is a lot of misinformation being spread across social media platforms, regarding foods that are most filling, satiating or that will promote weight loss.  

Over 70,000 foods from Slimming World’s own database have been used as part of the research project. As well as studying the consumption habits of the general population, a significant number of Slimming World members have completed multiple surveys on the foods they consume to help add depth and further understanding of the eating behaviours and habits of people wanting to lose weight.

Professor James Stubbs at the University of Leeds, says: “Researchers, health professionals and the general population have long needed the development of evidence-based reference values indicating the relative satiety value of common foods and how the composition, physical structure and sensory characteristics of foods relate to motivation to eat and may affect calorie intake.

From January 2026, members following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, will also see the introduction of a healthy fats choice, meaning foods like avocado and nut butters, will be even easier to incorporate into their week and there will be an even greater focus on the health benefits of these foods.

Slimming World’s Managing Director Lisa Salmon says: “Our methods remain largely unchanged since Slimming World was founded by the late Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in 1969. Just like Margaret always did, we’re constantly listening to our members, to the Consultants who run our groups and to the latest science to ensure Slimming World remains the most effective and realistic way to achieve lasting weight loss.

“The weight management industry has transformed in recent years – most notably with the rise of weight loss medications – and we believe the role of lifestyle-based solutions like Slimming World is more important than ever. Language matters and we know ‘Syns’ can be misunderstood or be a barrier for some people who want and need support to reach a healthy weight. We want everyone to feel welcome at Slimming World and we hope making this change will help.”

Slimming World’s healthy eating plan has helped millions of people to lose weight over the past 56 years. It’s a flexible plan that’s centred around ‘Free Foods’, foods that are lower in energy density, meaning they have less calories per gram, and highly satisfying, so you can fill up on them for fewer calories.

There are more than 350 basic Free Foods which can be eaten freely to satisfy your appetite, with no need to weigh or measure them. These include lean meats, poultry, fish, plant-based proteins, eggs, beans, fruit and veg, grains, potatoes and pasta.

The plan also encourages slimmers to enjoy measured, daily portions of foods containing essential nutrients to help ensure an overall balanced diet – these are called Healthy Extras. To avoid feelings of deprivation and the need to rebel, no food is banned and those foods that aren’t Free Foods or Healthy Extras can still be enjoyed in more controlled amounts.

From January 2026, those foods that are least satiating and high in energy density – foods like alcohol, crisps, chocolates or everyday essentials (a bit of butter, sauce or gravy with a meal) – will be called Slimming World Individual Picks, or Swips. These foods are important because being able to enjoy your favourite foods without guilt makes the plan easier to stick to, so members can make lasting changes.

Lisa, who joined Slimming World as a member herself more than 30 years ago, says: “Our ethos is – and has always been – about lifting the burden of guilt people feel around food and their weight, and providing a healthy, flexible and realistic way of eating that fits with every lifestyle and can be kept up for the long-term. We’ve had feedback that the word Syn suggested we wanted to make people feel ashamed about eating those higher calorie foods – which couldn’t be further from the truth. However, we recognise the power and impact of words, so while we’ve never wanted to make people feel guilty, ashamed or judged, it was important that we listened and made a change.”

In 2020, Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE spoke on the Slimming World Podcast about the term Syns. She explained it had originally been ‘sin’, with the organisation’s plan once named the ‘Sin-a-Day plan’, and intended to poke fun at the diets of the time that told people what they should and shouldn’t eat. She told how she changed the term to Syns (short for synergy) to reflect the important balance within the plan in the 2000s because times had changed and the word was creating misconceptions. She was involved in the latest review of terminology, which was completed in collaboration with linguistics specialists and led to the creation of the term Swip, before her death in February 2025.

The terms Body Magic, which refers to Slimming World’s physical activity support programme, and IMAGE Therapy, which stands for Individual Motivation and Group Experience and is currently used to describe the behaviour change support members receive in their weekly Slimming World group, will also be renamed. From January 2026, in a bid to simplify its language, Slimming World will talk instead about Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme and support system. The brand also has a new, fresh logo. 

From the new year, as well as including fibre and calcium-rich foods, Healthy Extras will also encourage the inclusion of healthy fats into members’ diets, such as nuts and nut butters, seeds, avocado and oils. Members will be able to choose three Healthy Extra portions from a list of calcium, fibre and healthy fats choices each day, they will be encouraged to choose a variety of Healthy Extras for overall health, with at least one calcium choice a day to support the intake of this important nutrient.

People following Slimming World’s plan have always been able to enjoy healthy fats as part of their week, with oily fish within Free Foods, nuts and seeds as part of their Healthy Extras, and avocado or oils within their daily Syns allowance. The introduction of the healthy fats choice is intended to put an even greater spotlight on the health benefits of these foods.

Lisa says: “No food has ever been banned at Slimming World and members have always been able to enjoy healthy fats. We hope though that moving these foods to a new Healthy Extra option will increase members’ understanding of healthy eating and better support them to maintain their new eating habits long after they reach their target weight.”

This change has been made following a review of Slimming World’s plan by its Nutrition, Research and Health Department, which comprises a team of dietitians, nutritionists and researchers. It reflects current eating trends and aims to make it even easier for members to fit the plan into their real lives.

Lisa says the changes, which will show on Slimming World’s website and app from mid-December and be updated in its printed member books from December 26^th, 2025, are about making sure the plan continues to fit with modern lifestyles. She adds: “These updates are rooted in science, shaped by what our members tell us and designed to support people of all ages to lose weight in a way that’s healthy, sustainable and works long-term.”

The 24-year-old joined the company in 2019 as a temporary member of staff. Within a couple of months, he secured a permanent position as a Field Support Advisor, supporting Consultants running weight loss groups across the UK and Ireland, and three years later he moved to the IT team as a Technology Services Technician.  

This includes supporting software as well as providing technical help to the 580 Head Office employees and more than two thousand Slimming World Consultants, to help them work as effectively as possible.  

Jordan says: “There hasn’t been a day I haven’t loved. Working in Field Support gave me a real appreciation for how everything we do at Head Office directly supports the hundreds of thousands of members across the UK and Ireland. And being able to be a helping hand to so many of the amazing staff across Slimming World is such a pleasure, too. To be rewarded with this win, for doing something I truly love is an amazing feeling.”    

Earlier this year, Jordan found out he was in the running for Head Office Employee of the Year, after being nominated by his colleagues across the company. It was his third consecutive year being nominated, but says his win at the annual awards ceremony still came as a massive surprise to him.  

He says: “I couldn’t believe it at all. My mouth just dropped open with shock. Knowing I was voted for this award by my colleagues makes it even more special to me because I know everyone here genuinely cares about what we do. I love working at Slimming World. I’ve always said, you could have absolutely any role working here and I would guarantee you’d enjoy it. From having a good sense of fun every day and all working towards the same bigger goals to help people live happier, healthier lives to lots of events like barbecues to the annual dress up competition, it’s a really positive place to be.”  

Andy Cousins, Support Services Team Manager at Slimming world and Jordan’s Manager, says: “It is an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate Jordan as our Employee of the Year. Whatever the task, Jordan is there to help – ready, reliable, and always with a smile. Not only is he technically skilled and great at problem solving, but he also possesses an incredible ability to bring calm and reassurance to any situation with his infectious can-do attitude.” 

Each year, Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year award is given to a member of staff who embodies the company culture, and inspires others with their commitment, teamwork and dedication to deliver outstanding service, while inspiring others to be their very best too. All head office employees voted for colleagues who they felt displayed those qualities. They were then shortlisted, and the overall winner was selected by staff members, managers and directors, and announced on stage at Slimming World’s annual awards ceremony, which was held at the Birmingham International Convention Centre. 

Jordan will attend a company at a dinner at The Dorchester in London later this year to celebrate their success. They will join the company’s directors and other high achievers across the organisation. 

The annual event sees Slimming World group members, Consultants and employees, across the UK and Ireland, donate items – including things they’ve slimmed out of – to Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society.

Marie Gregory, who works as a Planning Manager within the Stock and Distribution team, was crowned Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year 2024 at the company’s annual in-house awards ceremony. Marie was nominated by colleagues who described her as inspiring and motivational.

Marie, 44, who lives with her partner Dave in Chesterfield, and has worked at Slimming World for 14 years, says: “I look forward to the Clothes Throw each year. I love to see the warehouse turn purple with all of the charity donation bags! I’m always blown away by the enthusiasm and commitment from my colleagues – they really pull it out of the bag each year.

Slimming World’s Deputy Marketing Manager Clare Lee says: “The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw just gets bigger and better! We’re delighted to see members and Consultants getting stuck in each year.

“Over the years, Slimming World has raised more than £25m million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of campaigns, including supporting the Race for Life event series.

“We hope that through our continued partnership with the charity, we’ll not only raise an incredible amount to support vital research, but we’ll also help raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight reduces people’s risk of developing 13 types of cancer and other health conditions.”

Every year, around 28,800 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East Midlands.* Eve Mitchell, Associate Director, Supporter Relationship Management, at Cancer Research UK, paid tribute to Slimming Word employees for their commitment to the cause.

She said: “In the last 50 years alone, our work has helped double cancer survival in the UK. But there’s so much more to do. Our vision is a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer and step by step, day by day, our researchers are making this a reality thanks to the dedication of our supporters and partners, like Slimming World. We hope they’re proud of the difference they’re making.”

Notes to Editors

* Based on the average annual number of new cases of all cancers combined excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD10 C00-C97 excluding C44) diagnosed in the East Midlands Region of England in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Source: ONS, Cancer registration statistics, 2018, England, Accessed February 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cancer-registration-statistics-england-2018-final-release

NHS Digital, Cancer registration statistics, 2019 and 2021, England, Accessed February 2024. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics   

By running the marathon, Ben aimed to raise awareness of how healthy eating and moving more can protect our physical and brain health. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK’s ‘Think Brain Health’ campaign, being active is one of several ways people can help protect brain health and reduce their risk of dementia in later life. 

Creative Video Director Ben, 53, from Nottingham, says: “The London Marathon is an event like no other and I feel privileged to have been able to represent Slimming World this year and raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK. 

This is the third time Ben has taken on the iconic marathon. He commented: “There’s something remarkable about running the world-renowned London Marathon, but this year felt extra special. My fellow teammates have lost more than an astounding 81st (514kg) between them. 

“Hearing about their weight-loss journeys, and how in some cases, they’d never exercised before, but were now training for the marathon, was truly inspirational. It makes me so proud to be part of an organisation that really does change people’s lives.” 

Ben joined Slimming World in 2022 and has taken part in a number of fundraising initiatives over the years to raise money for the organisation’s charity partners. He says: “From quizzes and race nights to book sales, we’re always looking for new and exciting ways at Head Office to have fun and raise money. The amount of support my colleagues have shown me in the run up to the marathon has been staggering. 

“It’s been a delight to have been a part of this year’s team of inspirational runners and I’m so proud of us all for crossing the finish line – especially on such a hot day!” 

Paul Glazier, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK said:  “We’re incredibly grateful to Ben and the Slimming World team for going the distance to support Alzheimer’s Research UK at the 2025 London Marathon. Taking on 26.2 miles is no small feat, and Ben’s commitment to reach the finish line and his fundraising goal is truly inspiring. 

“If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Research is our only chance to change this. And thanks to people like Ben, and the Slimming World community, we are stepping closer to a cure.” 
 

Give a huge round of applause for our incredible 2025 team…

Slimming World's 2023 Greatest Loser winner, Adam Henley, who has lost 20st 4lbs.

Craig Stokes, from Bournemouth, who has lost 11st 5 ½lbs with the Queen’s Park Slimming World group in Bournemouth.

Daniel Wells and his Consultant Julie Edwards, who will be taking on the challenge together. Daniel has lost 4st and Julie has lost 2st 2lbs. 

Slimming World Head Office Creative Video Director Ben Newth.

Member Hollie Oxtoby, who has lost 6st 13lbs.

Matthew Paul, who has lost 5st 8lbs with the Glenrothes Baptist Church Slimming World group.

Slimming World Consultant Wayne Wilson, who has lost 2st 7lbs and runs his own groups in Tyne and Wear.

Kelly Davies, from Newport, who has lost 8st. 

Slimming World District Manager Danielle Arins, who has lost 3st 7lbs. 

Slimming World Consultant Maria Williams, who has lost 8st 1 ½lbs and runs her own Slimming World group in Burry Port, Wales.

Member Llinos Hubbard, who has lost 1st 5lbs.

Slimming World Consultant Jenny Buckley, who has lost 4st 3 ½lbs  and runs her own groups in Kilkenny and County Waterford.

Member Chelsea Bradwick, who has lost 4st 12lbs with the the Canolfan Teulu Seren Fach Slimming World group.

Margaret’s daughter Claire Brackenbury and her partner Rob Bentley, son Danny Colbert and his wife Sam, granddaughter Joy Emma Brackenbury-Sgroot, and friends Rebecca Tibbles, Ross Smith and Annie Nightingale donned lights and t-shirts featuring a photo of Margaret to join the 5km Walk of Light in Birmingham on Saturday 29^th March. 

The fundraiser aimed to shine a light on blood cancer and raise vital funds for research. 

Margaret passed away on Sunday 2^nd February in Mallorca, surrounded by family, aged 76. She had a form of leukaemia.  

Margaret is succeeded by her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the proud owner of several successful businesses in Mallorca and the UK, including Slimming World – the UK’s leading weight-management organisation. 

Margaret, who lived in Mansfield Woodhouse, started Slimming World aged 21 and her determination to help people shed the burden of excess weight without shame or guilt has seen it grow from a single group in 1969. Today it supports around 700,000 members to reach the size and weight they want to be via its groups and online service.   

Fundraising was important to Margaret, who set up the charitable foundation SMILES in 1997, which has since raised more than £30 million. Over the years, she’s been dedicated to supporting the NSPCC (of whom she became a patron), Barnardo’s, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Cancer Research UK, the Irish Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Margaret was handed an OBE in 2009 by the then-Prince of Wales, King Charles, for services to the health of the British public and her charitable work. 

Margaret’s daughter Claire, from Forest Town, and the rest of the group wore matching t-shirts featuring a photo of Margaret as they completed the walk. 

She adds: “The picture we used was of Mum on the day she had her first chemotherapy, and she came out smiling and winning. Mum took on every aspect of her cancer with such an inspiring positive mental attitude, which is how she was in all aspects of her life. We want to raise money and awareness for Blood Cancer UK to help others, which is what mum did throughout her life. It’s fitting we wore lights too as she always shone brightly like a diamond!” 

Matthew White, Director of Engagement for Blood Cancer UK says: “Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with over 40,000 people being diagnosed every year. The group taking part in Walk of Light for Blood Cancer UK has helped to raise vital money to fund life-changing research and provide free support for anyone worried about or living with blood cancer.” 

You can still sponsor the team and help them to raise money in Margaret’s memory and make a difference for people affected by blood cancer: Claire fund raising page is taking part in Walk of Light. 

Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in Derbyshire in 1969 and today supports 700,000 people each week, via its community weight loss groups and online service, to lose weight and to adopt new habits to stay slim for life.

Anika Devaney, Slimming World’s Head of Marketing and External Communications, who accepted the award on behalf of the company, says: “At Slimming World we know how incredibly personal weight loss journeys are and how vulnerable some people can feel when they first join one of our groups. People might be coming to us feeling disheartened after unsuccessful attempts to lose weight or uncertain about which of the weight loss advice we’re bombarded with in the media and online to trust.

Anika continues: "As well as helping them to reach the weight and size they want to be, we empower people to build healthy habits and make lasting changes that help them to feel good on the inside and out. We provide a healthy eating plan people can trust, an accessible activity programme and support from real people who get it.

“From our very first group in 1969, the vision of our founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE was to create a company that treated its members with genuine care, empathy and respect. This award proves that vision is just as important to our members today as it ever was."

The 2025 Newsweek/BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards are annual rankings from global news organisation Newsweek and consumer research firm BrandSpark. This year's results were based on over 100,000 brand evaluations. Slimming World was a joint winner in its category. 

During the study, researchers conducted surveys and interviewed parents attending Slimming World (a UK-based commercial weight management programme for adults). They found that, out of those parents worried about their child’s weight, most (78 per cent) were open to being offered support for their children.

Out of those parents interested in support for their child, nearly all (98 per cent) were happy for the weight management programme to signpost them to relevant children’s services. The study team also found that almost half of parents not worried about their child’s weight were still interested in a height and weight check for their child.

Parents had different preferences in terms of the format and delivery of services they would potentially find helpful for their children. Avoiding a ‘one size fits all’ approach and offering individual support were important.

Parents were clear that support should focus on being healthy, rather than weight alone. They also suggested weekly sessions may be too frequent and wanted the fact that change takes time to be recognised. Many felt a parent ‘peer support’ group would be beneficial.

Dr Ruth Mears, Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Academic Primary Care and lead author, said:

“Child weight management programmes should involve the family. However, recruiting families into these programmes can be challenging.

“Despite children having a higher risk of obesity if their parents are affected by obesity, adult weight management programmes don’t routinely link into child weight management services.  This misses an opportunity to help children reach a healthier weight together with their family, at a time-point when the parent is already making changes to their own lifestyle.

“Our study supports the potential of a new referral pathway to child weight management programmes, through parents attending adult weight management programmes.”

Margaret is recognised due to her commitment to helping people to lose weight and live healthier, happier lives. Her dedication spans more than five decades since she founded Slimming World in 1969 at her kitchen table in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, just a few miles from Alfreton, where the organisation is still based.

Margaret says: “I’m truly honoured to be recognised in this way. Having struggled with my own weight from a young age, I was aware of the lack of support available, and I was left feeling lectured to, judged and humiliated whenever I tried to seek help. I knew there had to be a better way to help people like me.

“I know how it feels to be burdened with your weight – not just the physical weight, but the burden of shame and guilt too."

Since 1969, Margaret has supported millions of people – and their families thanks to the healthy habits members take home – to lose weight with a revolutionary, generous, nutritionally balanced and flexible eating plan, and a highly-developed group support system to facilitate healthy changes in behaviour for long-term success.

Margaret hopes her recognition on the list will enable her to reach more people with her message that if they’re looking to lose weight this January, they do not need to resort to weight loss injections.

Margaret continues: “There’s so much in the news at the minute about these so-called miracle weight loss drugs. I can understand why some people, those desperate to lose weight, will want to find a quick fix. Medication isn’t the answer though.

“They may help people to lose weight in the short-term, but drugs won’t help a person change habits of a lifetime. They won’t help them embrace a healthy balanced diet and they certainly won’t promote the importance of physical activity for long-term weight maintenance and lasting healthy habits.

“There’s no one simple medical solution to the complex problems of obesity. These drugs are just a distraction, and they are preventing the Government in taking any real action to help the millions of people who need support to lose weight now.”

Margaret’s vision for Slimming World extended beyond weight loss – she has also developed a business model that offers opportunities to people who have lost weight with Slimming World themselves, creating a network of thousands of small businesses in local communities run by Consultants, all fully trained in Slimming World’s methods.

Margaret says: “This recognition is not just for me, but for the thousands of dedicated Slimming World Consultants across the UK and Ireland who know exactly how their members’ feel and support them 24/7.

“And I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without our incredible members who have not only committed to making healthy changes to their own and their family’s lives, but support Slimming World in our many charity endeavours, helping us to improve the lives of even more people.”

Margaret's philanthropic efforts are remarkable. She established SMILES, her charitable foundation in 1997, which has so far raised £29 million for worthy causes, and currently supports Cancer Research UK, the Irish Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Margaret also continues to give substantial financial contributions to ground-breaking cancer immunotherapy research, a cause close to her heart.

Of the recognition, the judging panel from the Top 100 Influential People 2025, commented: “It is inspirational to read about Margaret’s journey and her achievements, showcasing resilience and a commitment to positive change. Margaret’s work in setting up and developing Slimming World is legendary.”

The employees, who work within a variety of departments at the company’s head office including marketing, IT, nutrition, design, and product distribution, came together at a walk of their own to recognise their achievements at local Race for Life events as well as the company’s long-term partnership with Cancer Research UK.

2024 was a record-breaking year for Slimming World’s Body Magic fundraiser. This summer, Slimming World members, Consultants and Head Office staff raised more than £1.2 million for Cancer Research UK!  

Bethany Hayes, Senior Marketing Co-ordinator at Slimming World, says: “It was brilliant to see plenty of our colleagues dressed in pink and enjoying the walk. It reflects the friendly and supportive atmosphere found at Race for Life events, where it doesn’t matter if you walk, jog or run the course, as long as you have fun!

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research. Slimming World are, for the second year running, proud sponsors of Race for Life and have encouraged Consultants, members, and staff to sign up to their local events and raise money for the charity as well as encouraging them to move more by picking an event to match their activity level.

Alongside Race for Life, Slimming World supports Cancer Research UK through a variety of activities including The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw and the Slimming World London Marathon Team. The organisations recently came together to celebrate Slimming World raising more than £20m for the charity.

The Race for Life events ran from 4 May to 28 July 2024 and throughout this time, Slimming World members have been preparing for their events by sharing fundraising tips, training together and cheering each other on every step of the way.

Bethany adds: “We take pride in our work to support Cancer Research UK, a cause close to many of our colleagues’, members’ and Consultants’ hearts. Through our work with the charity, as well as fundraising, we hope to raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight improves health, including the risk of developing some types of cancer.”

Alex Crouch, Partnership Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “As always, we are so grateful to everyone at Slimming World who took part in Race for Life this year. Through the support and commitment of Slimming World Consultants and members, together, we are beating cancer. Thanks in part to money raised through events such as Race for Life, our research led to the development of the HPV vaccine, which is expected to prevent almost 90% of cervical cancers in the UK. With continued support, Cancer Research UK can continue to fund research to help prevent cancer”

Marie Gregory, from Chesterfield, who’s worked at Slimming World’s head office in Somercotes for 13 years, picked up the title at the organisation's annual in-house awards ceremony.

The 43-year-old, started her career in the hospitality industry, working in a nightclub. Over the years, Marie worked in various roles, including a VIP hostess and head of reception. In 2010, Marie joined Slimming World’s warehouse department as an office temp for the summer. When a permanent role came up towards the end of her contract, Marie was encouraged to apply for a Planning Team Partner position.  

Now, Marie manages a team of nine as a Planning and Inventory Manager. The team looks after everything from customer care and service to supplier deliveries, returns and logistics. Marie says: “I had zero warehouse experience before applying for my temp role at Slimming World. I just knew I wanted to do something different at the time, and took a huge leap of faith when I decided to leave my previous job. I wanted a job that allowed me to have a better work/life balance – especially as I had a young son at the time – and working at Slimming World gave me that.

“My role has evolved massively over the past 13 years – I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a supportive team and an encouraging manager who always pushes me out of my comfort zone. I never thought all those years ago I would be here now, managing a team.”

Over the past few years, key elements of Marie’s role have changed and expanded: “Having to navigate a whole new way of working – both post-Brexit and during the pandemic was extremely challenging. The way we supported our customers – including head office staff, Slimming World Consultants and our suppliers and partners, also had to change. It was a difficult time, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing – as a team we’ve learned so much and it’s enabled us to adapt the way we work now, and put in place robust processes so we can continue providing the best support we can.”

Earlier this year, Marie found out she was in the running for Head Office Employee of the Year, after being nominated by her colleagues across the company. She says: “I genuinely didn’t think I was going to win. I was in such shock that it actually took few days to sink in. I knew Slimming World was a special place to work from my very first day. I remember being told it was like a family, and although I was quite sceptical at first, I very quickly realised just how true that was – everyone treated each other with such kindness, trust and respect, and that still rings true all these years later. Knowing I was voted for by my peers makes winning this award all that more special – it really means everything to me.”

Tom Marvell, Head of Field Support Services and Stock Operations at Slimming World says: “I’ve had the privilege of working with Marie across various departments for several years and, over the last year, I‘ve had the opportunity to work with her more closely, as her manager. Her enthusiasm, positive can-do attitude and dedication to the team, and organisation is beyond inspiring and there isn’t anyone who deserves it more – I’m so proud of Marie and everything she has achieved.”

Each year, Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year award is given to a member of staff who embodies the company culture, and inspires others with their commitment, teamwork and dedication to deliver outstanding service, while inspiring others to be their very best too. All head office employees voted for colleagues who they felt displayed those qualities. They were then shortlisted, and the overall winner was selected by staff members, managers and directors, and announced on stage at Slimming World’s annual awards ceremony, which was held at the Birmingham International Convention Centre.

Marie will be invited to join the company’s founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, directors and other high achievers from across the company at a dinner at The Dorchester, London later this year to celebrate their success.

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To celebrate and express their gratitude to Slimming World for hitting this staggering fundraising milestone, Cancer Research UK presented the organisation with a specially commissioned piece of art by artists Bitter and Twisted.

Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, Slimming World’s founder and chair, received the unique piece at a ceremony at Slimming World’s Head Office in Alfreton, Derbyshire, attended by Slimming World colleagues and Cancer Research UK staff.

Margaret says: “We’re so proud of the generosity, hard work and tireless dedication Slimming World staff, members and Consultants have shown in raising more than £20m for Cancer Research UK – a truly incredible amount."

The illustration, which will be displayed at Slimming World’s Head Office, depicts the fun and inventive campaigns and activities Slimming World has fundraised and supported Cancer Research UK with. These include the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, an annual event which sees Slimming World members, Consultants and Head Office staff donate the clothes that they’ve slimmed out of to local Cancer Research UK charity shops to sell. This initiative raised more than £2 million in 2024 alone.

Philip Almond, executive director of fundraising and marketing at Cancer Research UK says:

“Huge congratulations to Slimming World for reaching this incredible fundraising milestone. We know an enormous amount of work went into getting to this point and we are hugely grateful to all their staff, members and Consultants, for their continued dedication and generosity.

“The money that they have raised together over the past decade is funding Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work, which is saving lives in the UK and on a global scale. It’s thanks to our supporters and long-standing corporate partners such as Slimming World that we are able to continue this work, helping people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”

By 2050, it is predicted that the number of adults in the UK who are living with obesity will rise by 73% to 26 million people. Even with rising costs to the NHS and the UK economy – those living with obesity are more likely to be absent at work – the incumbent Government’s obesity strategy was subject to downgrading and U-turns. In 2023 it was effectively replaced with the announcement of a £40 million pilot to roll out GLP-1 weight-loss medication to a wider population.

Elise Wells, Slimming World Director, says: “It is easy to believe that the new generation of GLP-1 weight loss medications are the holy grail, but there are still issues with supply and they won’t be suitable for everyone. If, in future, they become the only treatment option available to help patients, it leaves those that for whatever reason can’t have them or don’t want them, with no support.”

Slimming World’s five calls to government are:

Call 1:  To actively support the option of evidence-based and effective lifestyle-based weight loss programmes so that healthcare professionals have a full range of treatment choices for people without medicalising obesity as the first and only option.

Call 2: To ensure effective and evidence-based wraparound support – comprising diet, physical activity, and behaviour change strategies – for people using weight-loss drugs, with a robust monitoring and evaluation strategy to ensure prescribers are compliant with these guiding principles of effective weight loss.

Call 3: Publish clear guidance on healthy weight management in pregnancy with the introduction of clear guidelines on safe and healthy weight gain for all pregnant women, regardless of their starting BMI. 

Call 4: Establish a coherent strategy, long-term to recognise the link between overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes and commit to removing the societal stigma, challenges and misconceptions that prevent people accessing diagnosis, treatment and support.

Call 5: Introduce training for healthcare professionals to enable sensitive and skilled conversations about weight. Mandatory training should be introduced for all healthcare professionals who interact with patients living with overweight and obesity to equip them with the skills to raise the issue of obesity and weight management sensitively and effectively.

Elise continues: “Slimming World believes that by adopting these five calls, a new government will be able to make a very real impact on the lives and health of people living with obesity.

“We understand the complexities of living with obesity, and the challenge of losing weight and maintaining that weight loss. People living with obesity need compassion, support and the tools to make behaviour changes and create healthy habits for life. We will welcome anyone who is struggling with their weight, including those prescribed weight loss medication, as we truly believe with Slimming World, they’ll discover how to make healthy lifestyle changes that will stay with them long after they stop having the injections.”

Download the full manifesto below.

The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw is an annual event which sees Slimming World group members, Consultants and employees donate pre-loved clothes – including those they’ve slimmed out of – to Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society to sell in stores across the UK and Ireland.

Last year, they raised more than £1.4 million for the charities through the initiative and continue to aim higher year on year.

Warren Cox, who works as a training specialist within the training and development team, was crowned Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year at the company’s annual in-house awards ceremony. He was nominated by his colleagues who described working with him as ‘an absolute joy and pleasure’.

Warren, 36, who lives with his partner in Matlock, and has worked at Slimming World for more than six years, says: “We look forward to the Clothes Throw every year as it’s the perfect opportunity to have a good clear out of clothes we no longer need while raising money for Cancer Research UK. "

Slimming World’s Senior Marketing Co-ordinator Bethany Hayes says: “The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw is met with enthusiasm every year and is a much-loved fundraising activity at Head Office, as well as in our groups. Cancer has impacted the lives of so many of our colleagues, members and Consultants, so we’re pleased to support Cancer Research UK by raising funds to help the charity continue its life-saving research.

“Over the years, Slimming World has raised more than £20 million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of campaigns, including supporting the Race for Life event series.

“We hope that through our continued partnership with the charity, we’ll help raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight reduces people’s risk of developing some types of cancer and other health conditions.”

It was the only weight loss brand recognised within the top 50 organisations. The workplaces were judged on a range of criteria, including culture and purpose, leadership, inclusion and employee experience. 

The judges’ notes said: “This is clearly an organisation with a clear purpose and heritage that is lived throughout the business.”

Lisa Dobbs, Director of Support Services at Slimming World, collected the award with a number of colleagues at a Gala Dinner at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. She said: “It might sound immodest but it’s no surprise to us to be named as one of the UK and Ireland’s most inspiring workplaces – because we know Slimming World is a brilliant place to work!

“Slimming World has always invested in people's development and its success has been built on the loyalty and commitment of staff, many of whom have worked for the company for most of their working lives.

“We know our people are our very greatest asset and we trust, believe and invest in them. We enjoy a range of benefits at our head office all aimed at helping us to enjoy a happy and healthy working life, from delicious, healthy meals at subsidised prices in our top-quality restaurant to an on-site gym and fitness classes, a healthcare plan and an option of 12-weeks’ free Slimming World membership each year.

“We pride ourselves on having a caring, performance-orientated culture – we’re all motivated to do a great job and provide excellent service to our 3,500 Consultants and 700,000 members, and we have fun doing it too!”

Matt Manners, Founder of The Inspiring Workplaces Group, said: “As the world seems to be facing more widespread and serious challenges, it is more vital than ever for organisations (big and small) to put their people first. Fostering environments and cultures their people both believe in and want to belong to.”

For more information about working at Slimming World or to see the latest vacancies, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk/careers

Pictured: Slimming World staff at the Inspiring Workplaces Awards (L-R): Warren Cox, Lisa Dobbs, Jane Love, Carolyn Pallister, Tom Marvell. 

The title went on sale on International Women’s Day (March 8^th 2024), and features inspirational women such as Guardian CEO Anna Bateson, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries Justine Simons OBE and actress Morven Christie alongside Margaret. TV presenter Emma Dabiri is the cover star.

Disruptors’ aim is to drive conversation on women’s issues forward and amplify female voices, given women’s narratives only occupy 0.5% of recorded history to date.

Margaret tells how Slimming World was born out of her own struggles with her weight. She says: “I’d been overweight since childhood, and as a teenager I tried all the various slimming clubs around in the late 1960s. I felt there had to be a better way – so at the age of 21, I applied myself to learning as much as I could about nutrition, how to lose weight sustainably and without hunger, and the psychology of managing weight, literally working it out at my kitchen table.

“My programme turned all the perceived wisdom about weight loss on its head, offering respect, compassion and understanding instead of humiliation, and freedom to enjoy naturally healthy, everyday foods without ever needing to be hungry.”

Margaret ran her first Slimming World group in a church hall in Derbyshire and has never looked back since – there are now 13,000 weekly groups running across the UK and Ireland. Slimming World employs more than 500 staff and supports 3,500 self-employed franchisee Consultants to run their own small businesses.

The businesswoman, who is also a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, talks about the challenges she’s faced along the way including the loss of her beloved husband Tony, her extraordinary passion for fundraising, and what she hopes will be her legacy to the world.

Disruptors is on sale now, both in print and digital editions: Disruptors Issue 3 - Violet Simon

Over this time, generous Slimming World members, Consultants and staff have helped to raise more than £20m to support the cause and fund essential life-saving research through fundraising initiatives such as the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, sponsorship of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, and the Slimming World London Marathon Team.

 To find out more about the work we do together, please visit: www.slimmingworld.co.uk/our-story

Slimming World’s Digital Project Manager Hannah Parkinson-Bance, who helped organise the initiative, says: “This year has been the biggest and best collection so far. Everyone has been so generous and it’s a great feeling to know we’ve genuinely helped to make a difference to the lives of lots of young people this Christmas.”

The first response team in the council’s Child Services department collected the donations. Sharon, from the team, said: “This year again, we have seen an increase in our services for those who are having to make brutal decisions around whether to clothe and feed their children or heat their homes. The energy crisis, and ongoing fall-out from Covid is still evident, and more families are seeking much needed support.”

Her colleague Zoe added: “Slimming World is one of the bigger companies that get involved every year, and it is so fantastic to see the amount of gifts, for all ages – we weren’t sure if they’d fit in our car!”

Slimming World head office employees have been dedicated to supporting a range of charities in 2023, including the organisation’s official charity partners Cancer Research UK and Alzheimer’s Research UK and local community groups such as the South Normanton Area Foodbank. 

The PPA Awards celebrate individuals and companies in the magazine industry who have delivered new and innovative standout work and have made a difference in their sector over the last year. This latest win is the 12^th publishing award that the magazine has won – including winning Customer Magazine of the Year and Consumer Magazine of the Year at the same awards in 2020 and 2021.

Editor Sara says: “It’s a huge honour to have won these awards, especially given the amount of talent we were up against in each category. A highlight for me was the BSME judges’ comments describing Slimming World Magazine as a beacon of inspiration, as that’s absolutely what we strive to be.”

The annual BSME awards ceremony – which is known as the Oscars of the magazine world – celebrates editorial excellence and innovation across the industry, in both print and digital publications.

Sara says: “Our whole team is brilliant and they couldn’t deserve this more. They put Slimming World members at the heart of everything we do and we’re especially proud of our storytelling this year, showing the authentic experience of healthy weight loss – and importantly weight maintenance – in words and pictures. We’ve also provided our readers with the most delicious slimming recipes in the market, not to mention ever deeper levels of holistic health and psychological insight in our Mind, Body & Soul section.

“We’re committed to showing people that weight loss doesn’t have to be dull or uninspiring and it is possible to eat the foods you love, live a life you love and still lose weight.”

Slimming World Magazine features real-life success stories sourced from Slimming World members – including its cover stars, a delicious food section in which all ideas are designed to support Slimming World’s Food Optimising healthy eating plan, practical weight-loss advice and features showcasing the organisation’s wealth of unique expertise in behaviour change and the psychology of weight loss.

The current issue of Slimming World Magazine is available to buy on newsstands now. The magazine is also available for the organisation’s members to buy from their local Slimming World group or via the digital programme. Group members purchase it at a discounted price of £1.95 (a full £1.50 cheaper than on newsstands).

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Pic caption 1: L-R: Slimming World Magazine Art Director David Dowding, Junior Features Writer Bethany Mosettig, PPA host and comedian Jen Brister, Editor Sara Ward, Business Systems Architect James Naylor
Pic caption 2: L-R: BSME Chair Deborah Joseph, Slimming World Magazine Editor Sara Ward, Broadcaster and Journalist Vick Hope

For more information or to reprint any of the stories, recipes or images in the magazine, email Consumer PR Officer Chetna Valand at chetna.valand@slimmingworld.co.uk

Margaret’s commitment and dedication to helping people to live healthier lives was praised by the judges.

Founding Slimming World at just 21 after struggling with her own weight, Margaret launched her first slimming group in 1969 in Alfreton, Derbyshire, where the company is still based. Her approach introduced a revolutionary, generous, nutritionally balanced and flexible eating plan based on everyday healthy foods, designed to help people lose weight without ever going hungry.

She says: “Weight management programmes in the 60s were based on shame, guilt, and deprivation. I wanted to build a programme based on empowerment and kindness. Integrity, warmth, genuine care for others and humour are qualities which have always been at the heart of Slimming World."

In line with her original vision and under her leadership, Slimming World has transformed the lives of millions of people. In 2009, Margaret was awarded an OBE for services to healthcare and charity. She has seen the company grow to support hundreds of thousands of members each week, as well as creating opportunities for thousands as franchisee Consultants and staff.

Today, Slimming World holds around 13,000 weekly sessions in community weight loss groups across the UK and Ireland, alongside an online programme for those wishing to use digital support to lose weight.

Slimming World’s dietary approach has always been based on the latest research and this continues to be a focus for the company, with a significant project underway with the University of Leeds to examine the links between psychology, satiety, appetite control and perceptions of food groups.

Professor James Stubbs, Professor of Appetite and Energy Balance at the School of Psychology, University of Leeds, says: “I have known Margaret personally for over 30 years. I’ve always been impressed by her generosity and immense interest, fascination, curiosity, and commitment to scientific research. She has generously funded a number of science studies within the obesity sector which seek out answers to scientific questions that benefit the health and well-being of the nation.”

As well as Margaret’s commitment in helping people to live healthier, happier lives by losing weight, she’s incredibly passionate about supporting healthcare charities to further their research.

Professor Christian Ottensmeier, Professor of Immuno-Oncology Head and Neck Center, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology at the University of Liverpool, says: “Margaret is a truly remarkable person who has made and continues to make enormous contributions to the health of the nation. Through Slimming World, Margaret has raised many millions of pounds to support Cancer Research UK and a multitude of other charities.”

Elise Wells, Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy at Slimming World says: “Race for Life is such an exciting series of events and the positive reaction from our members, Consultants and colleagues has been amazing to see. Cancer Research UK is a charity close to so many people’s hearts so there’s always an eagerness to get involved and raise money for such an important cause.

Each year, Cancer Research UK holds Race for Life, a series of events all over the country which encourage participants to walk, jog or run the course and raise funds for the charity. The events include 3km, 5km race and 10km distances, Pretty Muddy, and Pretty Muddy Kids. This year’s Race for Life events took place from 30 April to 30 July and were held in local parks and other public spaces across the UK.

Elise continues: “Our physical activity support programme, Body Magic, encourages members to gradually increase their activity and fitness levels at a pace that suits them. Every year we run a fundraiser that gives our community the chance to get sponsored for achieving their activity goals. Race for Life has been a great motivator and has given members, Consultants and staff a powerful objective to work towards, whether they’ve chosen to walk 3k or run 10k – all while raising vital funds. In fact, this year we’ve raised more than ever before. We are proud to have been supporting Cancer Research UK for the last decade and look forward to future fundraisers and awareness campaigns.”

Since 2013, Slimming World has been supporting Cancer Research UK and in this time, they have worked together on a variety of events, such as the annual Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, where Slimming World members donate their clothes that they’ve slimmed out of for CRUK to sell in their local high street shops. This decade-long support has raised over £19m for CRUK and has also raised awareness that maintaining a healthy weight improves health and can reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer.

Gareth Mulcahy, head of events and sport at Cancer Research UK said: “We are grateful to all the Slimming World supporters who took part in Race for Life this year. Race for Life is often about a personal challenge, but it can also be a way of connecting to others and coming together to show support for a cause which touches so many lives. The generosity and commitment of everyone at Slimming World raised an incredible sum. This will help to fund life-saving research that brings us closer to a future free from the fear of cancer.

The employees, who work within a variety of departments at the company’s head office including marketing, IT, nutrition, design, and product distribution were celebrating their achievements from Race for Life as well as the company’s long-term partnership with CRUK.

Slimming World are proud sponsors of Race for Life and have encouraged Consultants, members, and staff to get involved in their local events and raise money for the charity as well as increasing their own activity levels.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is an inspiring series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

The Race for Life events ran from 30 April to 30 July 2023 and throughout this time, Slimming World members have been preparing for their events by sharing exercise tips, fundraising, and cheering each other on every step of the way.

The Slimming World employees marked the occasion with a walk together around the local estate, to be back in time for lunch cooked by the restaurant team at the company’s Alfreton headquarters.

Bethany Hayes, Senior Marketing Co-ordinator at Slimming World was behind the planning of the Head Office staff walk and said: “It was amazing to see so many of our team join us on our walk. The weather was glorious, but we did need our wellies following a rainy week leading to a muddy wood. It was lovely to get everyone together and explore the woodland that is on the doorstep of our Head Office.

“We’ve been supporting CRUK since 2013, and it’s a cause close to many of our colleagues’, members’ and Consultants’ hearts. Through our work with the charity, as well as fundraising, we hope to raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight improves health, including the risk of developing some types of cancer.”

Rebecca Williamson, Partnerships Manager, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Slimming World who took part in Race for Life this year.

“Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, together, we are beating cancer. We’ve seen cancer survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years. But this can only happen with the continued support of fundraisers up and down the country.”

It was part of a series called ‘Breaking Barriers’ and the four women discussed how they got into cyber security, what their day-to-day role looks like and the challenges and successes they’ve experienced as women in a male-dominated industry.

The other panellists were representatives from Dell, Paylink Solutions and the University of Northampton. They also talked about the benefits of having diverse teams in cyber security, yet how difficult it can be to recruit women into roles.

Hannah explained that Slimming World is an organisation where women have long been able to succeed, with the company founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in 1969 and women making up seven of the board’s eight members.

Hannah, who joined the company in 2021 and has been working in cyber security for nine years, says: “Having a diverse mix of people in cyber security means you boast a broader skill set and widen your problem solving capabilities, making organisations better able to respond to today’s ever changing cyber threat landscape – after all, those threats come from a whole range of people. Welcoming more women into the industry is a big part of this.

“Of course, I know that being a woman in cyber security, especially in a leadership role, puts me in a minority. It’s easy to forget that though, as Slimming World is an organisation packed full of women in leadership roles – across all areas of the business – and we’re proud to have a diverse team. It’s one of the many things that makes it a refreshing culture to work within.”

You can listen to the podcast episode, presented by Stephen Mann from Evolution Recruitment, featuring Hannah here or find out more about working for Slimming World here.

Warren Cox, 35, who works at Slimming World’s head office in Somercotes, has been named the organisation’s Employee of the Year 2023 at its annual in-house awards ceremony.

Warren, from Derby, is a Training Specialist at the Alfreton-based company, where he’s worked for five years. Before this, Warren worked in various jobs from cleaning and hospitality, to working in supermarkets and health & social care and animal care, before eventually moving into HR and training administration for further education in 2014.

In 2017, Warren joined the Human Resources department as a HR & Training Assistant before moving into his current role in the Training and Development department in 2021. In his role, Warren and the team are responsible for the training at Slimming World’s head office which focuses on delivering training to head office employees as well as the overseeing several internal programmes across the company.

This year Warren helped to introduce a programme of events called Slimming World Connect aimed at enabling colleagues from different departments across the organisation, to come together and learn more about other each other’s roles within the company, in a fun and informative way.

He says: “My role is about empowering and supporting staff members with their development. Being a part of the Training and Development team has given me the opportunity to work and collaborate with so many other amazing people across the company, and I love that. Working on projects like Slimming World Connect, which brings employees from across the business together, has been so rewarding. I didn’t have a lot of confidence when I was younger and would struggle to communicate with people – I would be terrified of introducing myself in a training session, let alone running one. Now, I’m doing something I never thought was possible and I love seeing people’s confidence grow in these sessions, just as mine has.”

Each year, Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year award is given to a member of staff who embodies the company culture, and inspires others with their commitment, teamwork and dedication to deliver outstanding service, while inspiring others to be their very best too. All head office employees voted for colleagues who they felt displayed those qualities. They were then shortlisted, and the overall winner was selected by staff members, managers and directors, and announced on stage at Slimming World’s annual awards ceremony, which was held at the Birmingham International Convention Centre

Warren says: “I still can’t believe I won, it’s the best feeling. As well as being a fun place to work, I saw very early on that everyone really looks after one another too. I love that your development is important and there are always opportunities to learn new things and challenge yourself – it’s truly a special place.

“Standing on the stage in front of all my colleagues was a great feeling. What really stood out to me most was feeling such a sense of belonging and love from everyone. People were cheering my name – I was in a room full of friends, for a company who is all about helping people to be the best they can be. It’s a moment I’ll never forget and I feel so grateful for it.”

Tim Tissington, Training and Development Manager at Slimming World and Warren’s manager, says: “Over the past year, Warren’s really flourished in the training delivery part of his role – his delivery style is so unique and his ability to put people at ease and give them the space to be the very best they can be, even when they’re at their most vulnerable, is so inspiring. There’s always plenty of humour, fun and joy along the way too. This award really is a fantastic achievement and one that is completely and utterly deserved!”

Warren will be invited to join the company’s founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, directors and other high achievers from across the company at a dinner at The Dorchester, London later this year to celebrate their success.

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The event included discussions and demonstrations on the unique elements that make up Slimming World’s member support programme – Food Optimising, Body Magic and IMAGE Therapy – as well as the role of the self-employed franchisee Consultant, and Slimming World on Referral, a partnership scheme between health professionals and Slimming World, providing eligible patients with effective, long-lasting, community-based weight loss management.

Guests were invited to visit each station to learn more about how Slimming World’s evidence-based approach is vital in ensuring Slimming World group and online members are effectively supported throughout their weight loss journey creating healthy habits for life. The support offered is in line with government objectives on eating a balanced diet, achieving physical activity guidelines and the level of behavioural change support required from a weight loss programme as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Slimming World members and Consultants attended the event to share more about their Slimming World experience. Among them was Dave Winchester,  who was named Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2022 after losing 14st 7lbs and running the London Marathon as part of Slimming World’s team, and Sarah Wynter, an NHS nurse who lost 7st and was named Slimming World’s Miss Slinky 2023.

Elise continues: “The event also enabled participants to hear first-hand from our members about their weight-loss journeys, highlighting the success they’ve had following the weight-loss programme and developing new healthy lifestyles. Our Consultants were able to talk guests through their experience as a Slimming World member, as well as their transition to becoming a self-employed Consultant and helping others achieve their dreams.”

Sir Bill Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire, went along to the event to meet Sarah and Consultant Jo Diggle, who runs the Slimming World group that Sarah attends each week, to congratulate her on her amazing success.

Sir Wiggin says: “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Sarah Wynter from Hereford at the Slimming World Drop-in session in Parliament, and it was inspiring to hear of her amazing journey. I congratulate her on this fantastic achievement, and I look forward to seeing the Slimming World on Referral scheme implemented in North Herefordshire.”

Joe Thompson, 35, was once left mortified after being unable to fasten his seatbelt on a rollercoaster and having to get off. He has since lost 5st 3.5lbs with Slimming World and has been named this year’s Mr Sleek. Joe attended the event as a representative for Slimming World and shared his weight-loss journey with guests. He says: “It was an honour to represent Slimming World at the Parliamentary drop-in session. Any time I’m asked to express how Slimming World has changed my life, I do it gladly.

“It was a surreal experience talking to MPs about all aspects of the mental and physical transformation that happens when you walk through those doors to a Slimming World group. Before joining, I would never have had the confidence to take part in an event like this or to speak to politicians about my health. But now I’m so proud to talk about how my life has changed. After years of yo-yo dieting, I’ve finally found a way to live healthily, for the long term.”

 “While trials show that semaglutide is a significant development in the medical treatment of obesity, it isn't a ‘silver bullet’ for weight loss and it isn’t for everyone. It’s a short-term intervention for medically eligible people, with potential side-effects. Those who are prescribed the drug will be advised to follow a calorie-reduced diet and to increase their activity levels and it’s important to note that these combined changes will bring about both weight loss and successful weight maintenance without the use of medication. Use of semaglutide is limited to two years, and trials have shown that once they stop taking the drug, users regain most of the weight they’ve lost.

“The truth is that the only way to lose weight and keep it off in the long term is by making sustainable healthy changes to what we eat and drink, and by becoming more active. Lifestyle changes need to sit alongside, and exist well beyond, any medical intervention someone chooses, such as surgery or drugs. Slimming World supports members to adopt exactly these new healthier habits and to feel in control of their food and activity choices without having to inject themselves. Crucially, our approach includes behaviour change support to help members change their mindset around their weight and their eating and activity levels, as well as powerfully motivating peer support from other slimmers. All of this is vital to sustaining any lifestyle changes in the long-term and neither of these support systems are achieved using semaglutide on its own.

“We welcome with open arms anyone who’s struggling with their weight, so if any of our members are prescribed semaglutide or decide to buy it, or if anyone taking the drug needs additional help to eat more healthily, we’ll be there to support them. With Slimming World they’ll discover how to make healthy lifestyle changes that will stay with them long after they stop having the injections. So we’re confident that weight loss groups will continue to have a vital part to play, and Slimming World’s essential role in supporting people to reach and maintain a healthy weight won’t change.”

If you'd like to find out more about how to join Slimming World, you can do so here. 

Susan, Public Health Matron at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, spotted that as many as 5000 eligible pregnant women across Manchester were not claiming money for fruit and vegetables through the Healthy Start Scheme and so set out to increase its uptake. The NHS initiative was introduced to help women who are pregnant or have young children and are receiving benefits, buy foods essential for a healthy, balanced diet.  

Alexandra Clark, Registered Nutritionist at Slimming World, says: “We’re thrilled to support the Excellence in Midwifery for Public Health award, especially this year with its focus on healthy eating among vulnerable pregnant women. We know through our own recent research into the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis that half of UK adults say increasing food costs are making it harder to make healthy food choices.

RCM Chief Executive, Gill Walton says: “This is an incredible story of a dedicated midwife creating a game-changing initiative across a whole city that is leading to healthier women, healthier pregnancies, and healthier babies. She not only looked within her own maternity services to change things, but without as well, highlighting how important multi-agency collaboration is to the health of women in pregnancy. This is certainly a model that could be replicated in cities across the UK, and for this Susan is a truly inspirational winner.”

Susan’s leading role saw her working with several agencies including maternity services, health visitors and other agencies - including the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the Manchester Central Food Bank - to raise awareness of Healthy Start Scheme grants among those supporting women. She also organised targeted support in specific areas across the city, where high numbers of women were missing out on claiming. This has resulted in claims across the city increasing from 65% to 73% with expectations of it climbing further.

Alongside this, Susan is also helping to produce a training video and slides as part of a Manchester Multiagency Task force.

Alex continues: “Slimming World is the only weight management organisation that supports pregnant and breastfeeding women with a healthier lifestyle, involving their midwife and healthcare team throughout.

“We have been working in partnership with the RCM for several years and our focus isn’t to encourage weight loss during pregnancy, but to support women to adopt a balanced, healthy diet to prevent excess weight gain. Midwives are at the heart of this partnership, and we want to ensure they continue to be supported in the exceptional work they do.”

Slimming World and the RCM have created a dedicated website to help women successfully manage their weight healthily before, during and following the birth of their child, while breastfeeding.  

Editor Sara Ward says that she is proud to see the magazine make strides, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. She says: “The industry as a whole has had a really tough time over the past few years. We’ve had to work through various restrictions and throughout have always remained committed to creating a brilliant quality magazine that helps support our readers to achieve their weight loss goals.

“This growth shows that our readers love the magazine just as much as we do. We put them at the heart of everything we do – from sourcing recipes we know they’ll enjoy and that will fit perfectly into their lifestyles, to sharing their inspiring real-life stories, including on the cover. We are thrilled to see growth in 2022 and hope we can build on this success for the year ahead – during which we will also be celebrating our 25^th anniversary!”

In July 2022 Slimming World Magazine also unveiled a brand-new look, with three additional sections. The new Mind, Body & Soul section was particularly well-received, as it reflects Slimming World’s unique expertise in the psychology of weight loss – including how to take control of your own mindset and become an expert in yourself.

Slimming World Magazine is sold at a discounted price in Slimming World groups. Online members can receive the magazine as part of their web or app-based support package, and it is also available to purchase on the newsstand. It is published seven times a year and produced in-house at Slimming World’s head office in Derbyshire.

The March/April 2023 issue of Slimming World Magazine is available in Slimming World groups now and on sale on newsstands. The digital edition is also available to download.

Teams across the organisation have been finding creative ways to raise money for people who have been affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Each department hosted their own stall or activity, which ranged from bake sales and raffles, tombola, bingo, a car-boot sale and much more.

Members of staff at the Alfreton-based headquarters also donated their loose change for any fruit they enjoyed on the day, which is usually provided free of charge. And the company’s on-site catering team sold hot puddings for a small donation which was added to the overall funds.

Employees raised a total of £2,050 from their fundraising. All funds were donated to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal.

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Give a huge round of applause for our superstar team for 2023…

Slimming World’s Man of the Year 2022, Dave Winchester, who lost 14st at the group in Ashford in Kent.

Consultant Fraser Walker, who lost 3st and now runs groups in Grangemouth.

Consultant Claire Hannaford, who helps slimmers at her groups in Dawlish, after losing 6st 3½ lbs.

Member Sarah Mainwaring from Mountain Ash, Wales, who lost 3st ½lb with Slimming World.

Shelly Willets, Slimming World’s Top Target Consultant 2022, is from Powys and lost 3st 4lbs before launching her own Slimming World groups.

Francesca Bird from Sale in Manchester. She’s a member of the Sale group and has lost 5st 11½lbs.

Member Rebecca Coles, who lost 3st at the Hampton group.

Member Alexandria Conway, who attends the Donabate group and lost 5st 7lbs.

Tarryn Mote, who lost 5st with the support of her Slimming World Oakway group.

Member Jennifer Forster, from the Egremont group, who lost 6st 1lb.

Slimming World Team Developer Tina Bishop, from Coventry, who lost 3st 4lbs.

Jim Poberezniuk, who’s a member from Peterborough, and has lost 4st 2½lbs.

Slimming World District Manager Emma Lea, from Bradwell in Staffordshire, who lost 4st 2½lbs.

Consultant Steve Lodge, who lost 13st before launching his groups in Kings Norton, Birmingham.

Last month colleagues from different departments across the company, which is located in Alfreton, donated toys, clothes, toiletries and more to Nottinghamshire City Council’s annual Christmas Star Appeal for children and families who have been struggling due to the cost of living crisis.

It was the second year the head office employees have supported the initiative, which provides for young children and families, who might not otherwise have received a gift at Christmas.

Slimming World Digital Project Manager Hannah Parkinson-Bance, who helped organise the involvement, says: “The past two years have been challenging for many of us, and some people have struggled more than others. With the cost of living crisis putting many more families in a more vulnerable position, we really wanted to help with this incredible cause.

“No child should have to miss out on a present at Christmas. It’s been amazing to see members of staff from across the company get involved again.”

Volunteer Sharon Ellison, who works directly with the families who are in challenging situations, says she was blown away by the generosity: “We’re so thankful for people and companies like Slimming World who continue to give, even in times of hardship. This year we have seen an unprecedented increase in use of our services, so appeals like this are even more important to us.”

Slimming World head office employees have been dedicated to supporting the local community during the cost of living crisis with members of staff across the organisation by fundraising for and donating food and toiletries to the South Normanton Area Foodbank.

PICTURED ABOVE: Sharon Ellison, volunteer for Nottinghamshire City Council Christmas Star Appeal, collecting the donations from Slimming World headquarters.

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Members of its 7,700 groups across the UK and Ireland are being invited to create their own original healthy recipes as part of a national cookery competition, which will see the winning meal hit the supermarket this autumn.

The cook-off is part of Slimming World’s Free Food Festival campaign which has run annually for eight years, though this is the first time the winning recipe will join their food range.

Free Food Festival celebrates Free Food – the concept at the heart of Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan. Free Foods are those foods that are lower in calories for their weight (lower energy dense foods) so they help to fill you up and keep you satisfied for longer. These include everyday favourites, like pasta, potatoes, fruit, lean meat and veggies. All products within Slimming World’s exclusive food range at Iceland are made with Free Food, and slimmers can be guaranteed top quality flavours and ingredients while still achieving successful weight losses.

Nutrition, Research and Health Policy Manager at Slimming World Carolyn Pallister says: “Free Food is the superhero at the heart of our eating plan, giving members the freedom to live the life they want, eat the food they love and still lose weight. The competition is a fun way to harness this and help our members to discover some delicious new recipe ideas along the way.

“With so many Free Foods there’s no limit to the dishes members can create with them and every week in our groups we see such creativity from members as they share food ideas and swap recipes – they’re so inventive and have real fun and enjoyment with food, which isn’t always what people expect when they’re losing weight! Slimming World groups are great hubs of support and inspiration, and Free Food Festival and the competition are extensions of that. So we’re really excited to see what tasty and original recipes they come up with this year – and for the winning meal to hit the freezer aisles in Iceland later this year.”

Entrants will be making and sharing their recipe creations in cook-off events held in their weekly Slimming World group. Every group will select their favourite recipe to enter the national competition. The top 10 winners will then be chosen by a panel of judges made up of Slimming World’s in-house experts including Head of Food and Publications Allison Brentnall, and Head of New Product Development & Process at Iceland Jessica Martin and Iceland’s Development Chef Matt Castelli They will receive £100/€130 worth of shopping vouchers and their recipe will be featured on the Slimming World app and blog, as well as the organisation’s member-only website.

The top three cook-off champions will also see their recipe feature in best-selling Slimming World Magazine, which is on sale in Slimming World groups and on newsstands, and win a cash prize of up to £1,000/€1,300. And the overall winner’s meal will join the Slimming World food range in Iceland stores alongside Slimming World’s best-selling meals including Chicken Tikka Masala, Beef Lasagne and Korean-Style Beef Noodles.

Slimming World has been working in partnership with Iceland since 2015 to create a delicious and satisfying food range which includes burgers, soups, sides and lunch bowls. The exclusive range caters to a variety of dietary preferences and provides members with affordable, quick and easy alternatives when they are short of time. All of the products are Free on the Slimming World plan and include a recipe printed on the back of the packaging, so members can recreate them at home when they have more time.

Andrew Staniland, Group Buying Director at Iceland, said: “The exclusive Slimming World range at Iceland is incredibly popular among members and our shoppers alike – providing all the fantastic flavours of the best Slimming World recipes with the added benefit of being frozen and ready in a flash.

“The range is constantly growing and this new initiative, which will see one of Slimming World’s very own members contribute a recipe, is the most exciting launch of all. We’re pleased to be able to facilitate this and hero kitchen creativity in a way that allows everyone to try.”

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The perimenopause and the menopause itself are caused by a drop in reproductive hormone levels and naturally happens as women get older. Shifts in hormone levels can influence where body fat is stored which can alter women’s perception of their body and weight. On top of this, every woman’s experience of the menopause is unique, and symptoms can vary in amount and severity. For some women, symptoms can indirectly influence weight by causing shifts in diet and lifestyle behaviours.

Registered dietitian Jennifer Kent, from Slimming World’s Nutrition, Research and Health Team, says: “For many women, there’s a concern that weight gain is ‘inevitable’, or that weight loss is ‘impossible’ during this time, but we know this isn’t the case. Our own research shows that Slimming World members around the average age of the menopause, and beyond, lose weight just as well as younger women.” 

Research* suggests that muscle mass reduces during the menopause and as we age, we tend to be less active and more sedentary. This means that metabolic rate can slow, and we burn fewer calories. Evidence** shows that eating a healthy, balanced diet, and maintaining an active lifestyle can help manage symptoms of menopause, sustain lean muscle, maintain metabolic rate, prevent weight gain and support weight loss at this time in life.

Slimming World has produced a free resource for members of its community groups and online programme called You, your weight and the menopause.

Jennifer adds: “The supplementary 7-day example eating plan helps bring the evidence-based advice to life and showcases how foods that can support health and help manage symptoms of the perimenopause can be incorporated into member’s diets.”

*Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (2021). Women’s health – Menopause. Available online: https://www.pennutrition.com/KnowledgePathway.aspx?kpid=7454&pqcatid=145&pqid=8725 

**British Dietetic Association (2019). Menopause and diet: food fact sheet. Available online: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/menopause-diet.html

Elise continues: "The positive power of people coming together to achieve a shared goal is something both Slimming World and Cancer Research firmly believe in.

“Our Body Magic physical activity support programme is all about encouraging our members to find ways of moving more that are fun and that they can enjoy at their own pace, so Race for Life is a great fit with our approach to exercise as well. We can’t wait to see just how much our members and Consultants can achieve.”

Gareth Mulcahy, head of events and sport at Cancer Research UK, says: “We are thrilled to welcome Slimming World as one of our new sponsors on the 30^th year of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. Uniting people from all corners of the UK to fundraise, connect and celebrate their loved ones is what Race for Life is all about and we’re so excited to welcome anyone who may not have taken part in a Race for Life event through this new sponsorship.

“Every pound raised goes to fund our life-saving cancer research. Everyone and anyone can take part. Who will you Race for?”

Race for Life allows participants to take part in a 3k, 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy to raise money for research into cancer. And there’s never been a better time for Slimming World members and their family and friends to enter because, to celebrate the partnership, those attending the organisation’s 7,700 community groups or Slimming World Online can now sign up to take part in their local Race for Life 2023 event for a fabulous 30% off. To take advantage of the exclusive offer, members will need to sign up on the Race for Life website using the promotional code SWRFL23.

If you’re not yet a Slimming World member, you can search for a local group or find out more about our digital-only service, Slimming World Online.

Full terms and conditions: 30% off registration is available to the first 5,000 people who enter Race for Life using the promotional code SWRFL23. Spaces are subject to availability. The promo code will show as invalid once 5,000 redemptions have been made. Registration is now open and will close approximately 24 hours prior to the chosen event. Code valid until 31 July 2023. Enter Race for Life at raceforlife.org.  

Referred by their GP or other Primary Care health professional, an eligible patient is able to access the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme themself, allowing them to choose from a number of tried-and-tested plans which provide nutrition advice, wellbeing support and help to boost activity levels.

Patients who select Slimming World from the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme, become a member of Slimming World Online, Slimming World’s easy-to-use digital service, which benefits from the organisation’s 50 years of expertise in weight management and is rooted in the same psychology of slimming as its thousands of community groups. Slimming World Online members also become part of an online community of slimmers who will inspire and motivate them to make changes and develop healthy, long-lasting habits.

Patients will follow an easy, flexible eating plan which encourages 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 filling. This means they can lose weight without feeling hungry and reduce their calorie intake without needing to count them. With access to more than 1,800 recipes, the patient will also be able to tailor their eating preferences and add them to their daily planner.

As well as adopting new healthy eating habits, Slimming World Online members are encouraged to become more active. A physical activity programme provides inspiration and support to develop an active lifestyle, whatever their starting point, and to build up in ways that they enjoy and at their own pace until regular physical activity becomes an intrinsic part of their daily routine.

They can access support and information to make changes online either on a computer or via a mobile device. They’ll also be able to use the Slimming World barcode scanner to browse food choices when they’re out and about and the programme now also links with a large number of wearable devices to track activity.

Paul  continues: “Having pioneered Slimming World on Referral 22 years ago, we now run over 100 schemes offering weight-loss support to people who are referred to our groups or online through Local Authorities, employers and the NHS.

“Slimming World has long called for greater support for weight management – including training health professionals to enable them to talk to their patients about weight in a sensitive and skilled way. The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme gives health professionals the support they need in offering patients access to digital weight-loss services and allows patients a choice in the programme they feel is most relevant to them, and their lifestyle.

“With more than 50 years of weight management through behaviour change, Slimming World has a clear role to play in working together to develop a digital weight-loss solution for the future health of the nation.

“We enjoy working with NHS England, helping even more people to lose weight and discover healthy habits for life and are pleased to see that so many NHS patients have successfully lost weight through the programme and made healthy habits that will last them a lifetime.”

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme launched across England from July 2021 and is a free 12-week programme providing online weight management plans for those who want to make changes to their health, have a BMI of 30+, or 27.5+ for Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups who are at an increased risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI.

To participate in the NHS  Digital Weight Management Programme users must be diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, or both. For more information on The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme and the eligibility criteria, please visit the NHS website or contact Slimming World directly at swor.superservice@slimmingworld.co.uk.

ENDS

They raised a total of £8,362.39 by organising raffles, sponsored walks, a cabaret evening and bring-and-buy sales with their members. And they’ve already signed up for next year, including planning a Zumbathon and other events.

Marisa became acutely aware of the work the hospice does when her best friend, Collette, was admitted with terminal breast cancer, and signed up to the three-month challenge after her death. She says: “The hospice were fantastic with her care, treatment and the way in which they supported her children. It was humbling to see the care they provided and when talking to one of the pallative team, I found out how vital fundraising is in helping the hospice do the amazing work that they do.”

As part of the challenge, those taking part are given £50 and challenged to turn the sum into as much money as possible. It’s the first year since 2019 that the challenge has taken place due to the Covid pandemic.

Marisa adds: “Lots of our members have experience of the hospice, either from being supported during the last weeks of a loved one’s life or from using the hospice’s wellbeing and holistic services to help them cope with their own medical conditions. So, it’s a cause close to a lot of people’s hearts and our members got fully on board – the response was fantastic.”

Overall the corporate challenge raised £60,000 for East Lancashire Hospice with the overall winners Northcote Manor raising over £20,000 and Pendle Doors in second place after raising over £8,000.

And on Marisa’s last visit to the hospice to deliver the money, she saw a vacancy for a fundraising role and, after working in education for 16 years, she’s now a fundraiser for East Lancashire Hospice. She says: “With this job and my role as a Slimming World Consultant, I’m so lucky to always be doing something I feel passionately about, whether that’s raising money for a patient or family in need or helping people to transform their health by losing weight.”

To kick things off, members from 20 head office teams gathered for a special speed-networking session. They found out about each other’s roles and teams, celebrated proud-ofs and successes, and shared updates about exciting projects their teams are working on to make the world a healthier, happier place.

The feedback from people who attended the event is that they learned lots about other teams’ work, understood more about the bigger picture of what everyone is working towards, made useful contacts and hugely enjoyed meeting up with and learning from colleagues they wouldn’t usually cross paths with.

Lysette Mazur, who’s worked within the PR team for around four years, says: “As well as the insights gained it was lovely to just have some dedicated time set aside to get to know colleagues I wouldn't normally interact with. It's nice to know that as a company we are willing to invest time in colleagues making connections across the business.”

Each month Slimming World Connect’s activities will have a different theme. October focused on strengthening and protecting the Slimming World brand, which is a key priority for the weight-loss organisation. Meanwhile November is all about delivering an exceptional service, with workshops from the Training and Development, Partnerships and Customer Services teams among others, and December showcasing the work of the Technology and Digital Business departments. 

Warren Cox, Slimming World Training Specialist, says: “In the days before lockdown, we’ve previously hosted workshops and weeks of activity to encourage sharing and learning between colleagues. These were never quite long enough to pack everything in and give everyone the chance to join in though, so we decide to create our own Slimming World Connect which already has activities planned from now until March.

“We wanted to raise awareness of the vital work that each team and department across Slimming World is doing and ambitions for the future, as well as providing opportunities to meet, mix and mingle with people from other areas of the business. So far we’re blown away as it definitely seems to be doing this and more.”  

If you’re interested in finding out more about working at Slimming World head office and the current opportunities to join the UK’s leading weight-loss organisation, visit Slimming World - Careers

The opportunity comes as many of us continue to struggle with weight and associated health risks including hypertension, cancer and Type 2 diabetes. According to the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO), overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global deaths. EASO also reports that 44% of the diabetes burden, 23% of the ischaemic heart disease burden and between 7% and 41% of certain cancer burdens are attributable to overweight and obesity.

Evidence suggests too that obesity rates have risen during the Covid pandemic. However recent research by Slimming World looked at how losing weight as part of a socially connected group can help achieve weight loss success. Slimming World polled members of Slimming World’s 7,700 community weight loss groups. Three in four group members who responded said they were more confident and self-assured (74%) as a result and 93% of Slimming World members felt committed to their weight loss.

“Being a Slimming World Consultant is a hugely rewarding role,” says Slimming World Director of Field Management UK West and Ireland, Wendy Cosgrove. “It’s a role that gives the unique satisfaction of helping people to live healthier, happier lives.

“Providing opportunities for real-life connection with others, in a powerfully motivating weight loss group setting, is key to stemming the tide of the obesity epidemic and provide the authentic sense of belonging that people are searching for. We’d welcome anyone affiliated to Slimming World who is passionate about motivating and supporting members through empathy and compassion, to apply,” she says.

The role offers the chance as a self-employed franchisee to work flexible hours to suit most lifestyles. Slimming World offers full training and ongoing support to help Consultants promote and build a successful franchise as part of a brand that has been helping people to lose weight and lead healthier lives for more than 50 years.

Members join a Slimming World local group to lose weight by following a healthy eating plan that is based on filling up on and enjoying normal everyday foods without ever having to go hungry. They get support to gradually becoming more active so that exercise becomes part of their daily routine and commit to regular weekly support and motivation to reach their personal target weight.

“Slimming World is so successful because we recruit people who understand and empathise with those who struggle with their weight. Everyone who works with Slimming World is instinctively warm, caring and kind, with a sense of fun. We all have a real desire to share the life-changing benefits of losing weight and leading a healthier, happier, more fulfilled life,” says Fiona Manwell, Director of Field Management for UK East and Scotland, echoing Wendy’s views.

“We’ve recently launched a new website which sets out what it takes to become a Slimming World Consultant and why it is such a rewarding role. We have Consultants who run several groups and it’s their full-time role as well as Consultants who work part-time and work it around their family or another job. If you want to make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing and you’re looking for a role that is flexible and fits around your lifestyle, as a self-employed franchisee, we’d love to hear from you,” she adds.

Anna Mangan, Slimming World Consultant, Chorlton, Manchester.

Anna had a trampolining accident which led to spinal surgery and was medically retired at just 30. She felt adrift and anxious about what to do with her life. “The perfect solution was right in front of me,” says Anna. "Slimming World had become a real positive in my life, and I wanted to pass that on to others. Of course, as much as I genuinely love helping other people, my new role had to work for me and the life I wanted to lead. I knew I couldn’t be tied to a desk all day, and having so much flexibility around where, when and how much I wanted to work was so freeing. I had the power to set my own work/life balance, and to influence my own earning power, too.

“It sounds like a strange thing to say, but I’m so thankful for my accident, as it forced me to rethink my life and led to a fantastic, flexible career where I get to help people every day.”

As well as taking part in the activity, five lucky members who found a golden donation bag recently headed to London to enjoy a money-can’t-buy prize as a thank you for helping to raise money for Slimming World’s charitable partners. Each of the winning members was treated to an overnight stay in the capital, a personal styling appointment with a top stylist and a shopping voucher to help them to replace the clothes they slimmed out of.

Slimming World’s Deputy Marketing Manager Clare Lee, who organises the national fundraising campaign, says: “It has been absolutely fantastic to be able to bring back The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw this year and we are so very proud of all of our Consultants and members who went out of their way to help support Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society.

“As well as the exceptional total we have raised, it has been great to hear feedback from our members and Consultants about how much they enjoyed taking part again. The community spirit and sense of fun within our groups is what sets them apart – people join to achieve their weight loss dreams, which they do, but they keep coming back week after week because of the friendships they make and the fun they have. Activities like the clothes throw are part of that and help people to feel great about how their achievements help others as well as themselves."

Eve Mitchell,  Head of Partnerships Management at Cancer Research UK says: “Raising over £1.2million worth of clothes is a fantastic achievement and we thank everyone who cleared out their wardrobes and generously donated clothes. The money raised through The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw will help us continue our pioneering research to beat cancer.”

Clare continues: “We have been working in partnership with Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society for nine years now and cancer is a cause close to many of our colleagues’ and members’ hearts. Through our work with the charity, as well as fundraising, we hope to raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight improves health, including the risk of developing some types of cancer.”

*£1,218,808.00 was raised in the UK for Cancer Research UK, and €81,000 for the Irish Cancer Society in the Republic of Ireland.

Slimming World has previously worked in conjunction with the RNIB to create a selection of audio and braille recipe books. These resources will continue to be available for members who request them from their Slimming World group Consultant or via the Contact Us form for online members.

As well as these resources, Slimming World is continually working to improve the accessibility and usability of its websites, such as members being able to view it with a screen reader, screen magnifier or other access technology. It can also be viewed on different screen sizes and the size of the text can be changed too.

Carolyn continues: “Our groups are inclusive and accessible to all those looking to lose weight, eat healthily and develop long-lasting healthy habits. In developing the book reader app we’re now able to better support those members with visual impairments to follow our Food Optimising eating plan and make delicious, healthy meals at home.”

Staff donated more than 100 bags of clothes to Cancer Research UK, raising £2,500 for the charity. The donated items will stock local shops in Sutton in Ashfield, Bulwell, Arnold, Sherwood and Derby.

Throughout the two-week period in May during which the fundraising drive ran, teams were joined by Slimming World Consultants and members from all groups across the UK, who also donated clothes including those they’ve successfully slimmed out of. After the pandemic saw the 2020 and 2021 events cancelled, the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw last took place in 2019 and raised a total of £3.2million for the organisation’s charity partner Cancer Research UK.

Current Slimming World Head Office Employee of the Year Sean Chapman says: “We’ve missed out on so many events because of Covid-19. There’s always something fun to get involved in at Slimming World and it has been very different not being physically together all of the time. Slimming World has done a great job over the past two years to keep employees motivated and engaged though, and I’m so happy the Clothes Throw is back and that we are once again able to clear out our wardrobes as well as raise money for a very worthy charity.”

Sean, who lives in Mansfield, and works at Slimming World’s Head Office as a Business Information Manager, was crowned Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year after working tirelessly during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns to make sure procedures were in place to support all of his colleagues in other departments as well the teams running Slimming World groups across the UK and Ireland. On winning his award, Sean’s colleagues described him as the “go-to-guy as he’s so approachable, and he can explain the most complicated of queries in a way that makes it easy for anyone to understand.”

Slimming World’s Deputy Marketing Manager Clare Lee organises the national fundraising campaign, along with the bag collection at Slimming World’s head office. She says: “We are so pleased we were able to bring The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw back this year and very proud of our head office colleagues for once again supporting our charity partner.

“Our partnership with Cancer Research UK is now in its ninth year and is a cause close to many of our colleagues’ and members’ hearts. Through our work with the charity, as well as fundraising, we hope to raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight improves health, including the risk of developing some types of cancer.”

By understanding energy density, slimmers can lose weight while eating a healthy, balanced diet, without feeling hungry or deprived.

Carolyn Pallister, Nutrition, Research and Health Policy Manager at Slimming World, says energy density is at the core of Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising.

"We’ve been actively researching satiation and satiety for almost 30 years and understand that when slimmers fill up on low energy dense foods they limit energy intake, reduce hunger and experience better weight loss. With our Food Optimising eating plan, foods that are lowest in energy density are called Free Food meaning they can be eaten freely to satisfy hunger, without weighing, measuring or counting calories.”

Within the resource, lower energy density foods that are recommended to support weight loss include:

• Fruits and vegetables (with no added fat or sugar) These are high in water, provide fibre and are also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
• Pulses (beans, peas and lentils) These are high in protein, low in fat and provide fibre. Pulses are also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
• Low-fat and fat-free dairy products These are a source of protein and choosing lower fat dairy products will help reduce total fat intake. These foods also provide vitamins and minerals, including calcium.
• Potatoes and cereal-based foods that absorb water during cooking These foods provide energy but also have a high water content. Wholegrain versions of pasta and rice and potatoes with skins offer extra fibre.
• Lean meat, poultry, fish, shellfish and eggs These foods are high in protein and provide other useful minerals and vitamins.

Carolyn continues: “As this list of foods shows, lots of every day foods are low in energy density and by making small changes to the way they cook and prepare them, such as removing visible fat and choosing leaner cuts, or not cooking in oil, our members find they can enjoy their favourite family meals, like spaghetti Bolognese or a Sunday roast, for fewer calories. They also say it’s easy to fit Food Optimising around their lifestyle – even being able to eat out – so they don’t have to miss out.

"Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan is combined with powerful support – available in a community group setting or online – designed to increase the confidence of its members, while equipping them with tools to develop realistic, healthy habits that they can keep up for life. As well as changing their eating habits, members are encouraged to increase their movement and fitness levels via a stage-by-stage activity programme, called Body Magic. "

You can download the full resource now.

Through its own charitable foundation SMILES, Slimming World will continue to support Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society through fundraising campaigns, as well as increase awareness and raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK through sales of Slimming World books in its community groups, and donations from its members.

“We supported our previous charity partner, Great Ormond Street Children’s hospital (GOSH), for five years, raising an amazing £750,000 for the charity. We want to thank GOSH for working with us, as well as our colleagues and members for helping to raise funds to support the charity.

“We hope to be equally successful in raising funds for the fantastic work undertaken by Alzheimer’s Research UK.”

Dementia is now one of the leading causes of death in the UK. As the country’s leading dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK’s vision is of a world where people are free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia. The charity aims to bring about the first life-changing dementia treatments.

Lucy Squance, Director of Supporter-Led Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Research UK, commented: “We’re delighted to be embarking on this exciting partnership and incredibly grateful to Slimming World for supporting life-changing dementia research. Unless we act, one in three people born today will develop dementia during their lifetime – but with Slimming World colleagues and members by our side, we can change this. Through research, we will keep people connected to their families, their worlds and themselves for longer. We rely on the generosity of our amazing supporters to carry out our work, and Slimming World’s backing will be vital in making breakthroughs possible.”