Guest article – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Tim Pattenden has gone from the sidelines to man of the match with the support of Betsi Cadwaladr’s University Health Board’s Walking Football club.
The Health Board’s Health Improvement Team (HIT) has partnered with Wrexham County Borough Council’s National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) to hold an Over 40s Walking Football sessions at Queensway Stadium, Wrexham to support those who need it most.
Tim was referred to NERS by his GP as he has Hypertension, High Cholesterol, and Type-2-Diabetes, and joined the Walking Football team once he found out about the partnership. Tim is now no longer taking medication for the noncommunicable diseases, thanks to the exercise and health improvements he has made.
Tim said: “I’ve been very happy with the support provided by Alex from NERS and Robin from HIT, as well as everyone else in the group. I don’t know how to describe how happy I am with it. It’s had a profound impact on my life.
“Alex and Robin are so welcoming and helpful. They make everything seem positive and possible. I’ve got more energy. I have lost 2.5 stone. I feel more hopeful about my health and my blood pressure is down, cholesterol is normal, and my sugars are at a safe level again.
“I also feel more confidence in my health, and hopeful in how it can improve. I love being part of the group that play football. At one point I thought I would never feel as good as I do now.
“This programme has been a life saver. Only those who need it and come on it really understand its impact. At one point, I genuinely felt like I was dying a slow death. My involvement with NERS and the walking football transformed that.”
Robin Ranson, Senior Health Improvement Practitioner, said: “Tim is an absolute superstar, and we should praise his hard work and effort to do this for his physical and mental health. Alex played football when he was younger, and has really enjoyed joining the club.
“We’ve been running 12 years, and gone strength to strength and we welcome anyone who wishes to come join us. We have people who have been coming since we first started, and it’s really helped so many and their health.”
Alex Davies, Exercise Referral Professional at Wrexham County Borough Council, said: “It’s been a pleasure to welcome Tim into the group and to see the transformation in his physical and mental health. Myself and Robin are so pleased our sessions are continuing to help people achieve their goals and we welcome anyone who has similar aspirations to get more active through football to come and join us.”
The Walking Football Club is for people over 40 years of age and held on Monday and Friday 10am-11am. Places are limited therefore booking is required. If you’re interested and would like to find out more, please contact Robin and the Health Improvement Team on 03000 859625, or Alex and the National Exercise Referral Scheme on 01978 355826.
Also, for more information about the club and what else the Health Improvement Team offers see their Facebook page called BCUHB Health Improvement Team. People can self-refer to NERS via this webpage.
