A participant of a weight management service for people with learning disabilities in Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley has lost more than two stone (12.7kg) in just over a year.
The service user, who wishes to remain anonymous, has reported feeling "great and extremely proud of himself".
A member of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Learning Disability Services spoke to the service user as part of a regular visit to supported living accommodation.
She said: “Not only has he lost weight, but he has also developed a keen interest in the fun fitness sessions, basketball, and is now looking to join a gym.
“He also previously struggled with food-related behaviours and now proudly shares that he no longer hides food in his room, another positive outcome from the healthy decision-making skills he has gained during his sessions.
“It’s always so nice to hear a success story like this.”
The Learning Disabilities Weight Management Service is run by Enable, a not-for-profit organisation that works with councils and charities to deliver health, leisure, and community services. It is for people in Bexley, Bromley, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, which is the lead commissioner.
It was established mid-2025 to help adults with learning disabilities make positive and sustainable changes to their diet and lifestyle. It is funded by South East London Integrated Care System (SEL ICS) via its Vital 5 Check programme, which is managed by the King’s Health Partners (KHP) Prevention, Wellbeing, and Equity (PWE) team.
Will King, Public Health Specialist in the KHP PWE team, said:
“We are delighted to fund this innovative programme, as part of our commitment to improving population health and reducing health inequalities across south east London.
“It is an excellent example of partners working together to deliver accessible, person-centred support for people with learning disabilities. The results reflect the true value of tailored prevention and wellbeing services.
“Beyond the impressive weight loss, the participant has gained confidence, developed healthier behaviours, and become more physically active. These are exactly the kinds of long-term outcomes we want to see when investing in community initiatives that help people to lead healthier lives.”
Recognising that people with learning disabilities face additional barriers in maintaining a healthy weight, the 12-week service answers a need to provide tailored, evidence-based interventions. The programme includes nutrition education, physical activity sessions, and behaviour change support.
Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Communities at the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the positive difference this service is making to the lives of people with learning disabilities in Greenwich and beyond. This is about much more than weight loss, it’s about helping people build confidence, enjoy being active and develop healthy habits that can be sustained for the long term.
“We know that people with learning disabilities can face additional barriers to living a healthy lifestyle, so it’s vital that support is accessible, inclusive and tailored to people’s individual needs. I’m incredibly proud that Greenwich is leading the way in providing this support, and it’s wonderful to hear about the progress and confidence this participant has gained.”
Enable runs the sessions to support people with learning disabilities make sustainable changes to improve health and wellbeing in the short and long-term. The service aims to bring people together to improve support and community connection, while encouraging independence too.
Jess Bunn, Specialist Weight Management Lead at Enable, said:
"We're so proud of this participant, among all our other participants, for all they have achieved. This story really shows the values of the adult weight management service in practice.
“We hope people with learning disabilities can come together in Enable's healthy lifestyles sessions across Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich not just to lose weight, but to meet others who they relate to, achieve things they want to while feeling heard, valued and empowered, as well as having fun along the way."
Individuals can self-refer to the service, or health professionals can refer people via an online referral form. To find out more about the service, including eligibility criteria and how to refer, visit the Enable webpage here.