NHS bosses are marking the success of the East End’s ‘health trainer’ programme which has helped 20,000 people over the past four years live healthier lives.

The programme run by NHS East London & the City is holding an awards ceremony next Thursday, May 26, for people who have been trained to support others to make changes like eating better food, doing more physical activity, stopping smoking and reducing alcohol.

Its impact since it was launched in 2007 through an ‘outreach’ programme includes 12,000 taking part in ‘lifestyle’ activities, 7,000 helped to adopt healthier lifestyles through one-to-one support and 1,100 who have given up cigarettes.

The East End has one of the highest rates of obesity and heart disease. Advice and counselling has been making inroads at ‘outreach’ sessions at community centres.