Heartbeat October 2019

Slimming World class on site helps
improve health and wellbeing
CORPORATE AND GENERAL
NEWS
She’s helped overweight men and
women shed a whopping 896 stone
in two years. Now Slimming World
consultant Mandy Hill working her
magic in our workplace.
The mum of two holds weekly early
morning sessions at Sandwell Hospital.
Mandy hopes to inspire colleagues and
residents to follow in the footsteps of her
previous clients. “The total amount of
weight lost by my members is phenomenal
and I am so proud of every one of them,”
she said.
“I have two groups on a Tuesday and
members support and encourage each
other. No matter what the reason for them
walking through the doors, we will help
enable them to achieve their dreams.
“The diet lifestyle change is very flexible. It
means there are a lot of things you can still
eat – like bread, pasta and rice. But it’s also
about healthy eating which I know is very
high on the agenda at the Trust.”
The sessions also mean a return back to her
roots. Mandy used to work at the hospital
as a dental nurse and an oral health educator
before she was medically retired. Diagnosed
with severe rheumatoid arthritis it left her with
reduced mobility and sparked her own weight
loss journey.
Mandy ballooned to a size 22 and became
desperately unhappy. But after joining
Slimming World she was able to lose 3.5 stone
despite being reluctant to go along.
“I had been really miserable at the time of
joining the group,” she explained. “I had put
on lots of weight because of my condition and
then my husband Tim had to also medically
retire as a paramedic when he was involved in
an accident at work.
“Tim suggested Slimming World to me. When
I went along to my first session I was convinced
I wouldn’t be able to lose weight on that diet.
But as the weeks went on the pounds kept
on slipping off and I started to feel like myself
again.”
In October 2017, Mandy was a size 14 and
became a Slimming World consultant running
groups around West Bromwich. Members were
overjoyed with their weight loss results.
“Every week in my sessions there are
inspirational stories that people share about
their journeys” she said. “Sharing your own
story helps to encourage others to realise that
they too can achieve. The greatest thing that
Slimming World Consultant, Mandy Hill is
ready to lead the charge in weight loss
stops us is a lack of belief in ourselves, but the
other members show us that we can.”
The sessions are on every Saturday, starting at
7.30am for colleagues and 8am for members
of the public. They take place on the first floor
of the Palliative Care Hub, situated behind the
antenatal building on Hallam Street.
For more information around joining
offers call Mandy on 07592 508852.
NHS National Staff Survey
– take part for a chance to
win £200 worth
of vouchers
The national staff survey has launched. All colleagues have
been approached for their feedback either by email or in the
post. Please take part as the survey is a unique opportunity to
see how we compare to other Trusts on things like working
environment, staff morale, job satisfaction, and management
support. Results will be reviewed and acted upon so we can
make our organisation a great place to work.
Complete the survey to be automatically put into a prize draw.
If you are one of the first 100 people to respond you could win
£200 worth of shopping vouchers. There will also be further
opportunities to win; with £50 worth of shopping vouchers being
available to six lucky winners!
Responses are strictly confidential - no one from the Trust will see
your completed survey or be able to identify individual responses.
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