Following the successful introduction of the Freshwell Low Carb Project in 2019, the local GP practices in the Colne Valley Primary Care Network (PCN) got together in 2020 to create a low carb programme. The programme is available for FREE to any eligible patients registered at one of the Colne Valley PCN practices.
The programme is designed for people who would like to lose weight, those with pre-diabetes and for people who would like to improve the control of their type 2 diabetes or even put their type 2 diabetes into remission. Following a low carb lifestyle can bring several health benefits including weight loss, a reduction in medications, and even remission of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes.
If you are wondering whether the low carb lifestyle could be for you, please start by visiting the Freshwell Low Carb Website for more information.
Please sign up via the internet form below.
Joining our FREE low carb programme
To sign up you can:
- Use our self-referral form.
- Contact the low carb team by emailing mseicb-me.lowcarb.cvpcn@nhs.net to discuss further with one of our programme Health and Wellbeing Coaches.
- Ask your GP reception team for an appointment.
Programme inclusion criteria:
- 18 years or older,
- Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes and/or
- BMI of over 25
Please note you will need access to the internet to be able to access this programme.
Programme Options
Once you sign up you will be offered the following programme options:
- Self-Guided: We will follow you up in 12 weeks with a call to see how you got on.
- 1:1 support from a health and wellbeing coach, with up to 6 telephone check-in calls,
Colne Valley PCN Low Carb Community
There are so many people who have benefitted from the programme that we have come together as a community to support each other through our low carb health improvement journeys. Find out more about the Colne Valley PCN Low Carb Community here.
Do you struggle with your relationship with food?
We now have a food addiction support group. More details here.
More details about the Freshwell Low Carb Programme at Colne Valley PCN
The Colne Valley PCN delivers the Freshwell structured education programme that uses a digital platform with accompanying phone based coaching support. It meets the needs of people with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and/or a BMI of over 25 and looking to lose weight. It incorporates:
- Freshwell Low Carb for Healthy Weight Programme
- Freshwell Low Carb for Diabetes and Diabetes Prevention Programme (coming soon)
Our programmes develop participants’ confidence, skills, and knowledge to enable them to make improvements in their own health, as well as getting more proactively involved in decisions about their care.
The programmes incorporate an easy-to-use App, a set of educational videos, and a dedicated health and wellbeing coach offering 1-2-1 support in engaging with the educational materials, the setting of SMART goals, reviewing successes and challenges, and moving forward towards desired outcomes over a 12-week period. A smart phone or laptop with access to the internet is required.
In order to access the programme participants, need to be able to read and understand spoken English and be able to use a computer or smart phone.
A chat forum provides opportunities for participants to discuss their experiences and concerns with others, as well as sharing tips and recipes. The forum is moderated by the health and wellbeing coaches, who signpost to approved resources and notify the programme educators of any issues or questions that may need their direct response if resources are not available. Additionally, a monthly meeting is held where participants can meet the programme educators and have their questions answered directly.
What do you get with the Digital Programme?
Access to a 12 week programme, with 6 modules covering: Getting Started with a Low Carb Lifestyle; Knowing your Numbers and More about Carbs; Shopping Low Carb in a High Carb World; Time Restricted Eating and Intermittent Fasting; Stress, Sleep Physical Activity and Nature; Alcohol, Eating Out and Trouble Shooting.
Once signed up to the digital programme you also get access to 1-2-1 support from an accredited Health and Wellbeing Coach, access to the Freshwell App including a meal planner and a recipe database, a chat forum with opportunities for face-to-face social meet ups led by PCN low carb community ambassadors, and monthly meetings with the lead educators.
What happens when I am referred to the programme?
You will receive an initial telephone call from a health and wellbeing coach. She will discuss with you whether this is something that you would like to engage with and to check whether you feel ready to make some lifestyle changes. Any special needs that you have can be discussed at this time and met where possible.
If you decide to sign up you will be asked for your current weight along with other eligibility checks, and a welcome pack will then be emailed to you with links to the educational resources and the chat forum. You will also receive a text with date and times of your first check in call. You will be asked whether you would like to opt into a mailing list to update you about the monthly meetings. You will be able to select the amount of support you would like from your health coach (up to 6 telephone calls or a text support option).
If you opt for coaching calls you will be supported to set your own goals and action plan and review these over a 12-week period. Our coaches are all trained by PCI approved health and wellbeing coach training providers.
At 12 weeks from start date, you will be contacted for your feedback about the programme and an update on your current weight, which will help us with our programme evaluation.
Programme participant comments and feedback
We love your feedback about our Colne Valley PCN Low Carb Programme! Here is what our participants are saying:
“My HbA1c has dropped from 57 to 45 and I have reduced my blood pressure pills from 3 to 1. I am amazed and very pleased at how this has worked for me”; “4 months on I have lost 2st 1lb. I don’t feel hungry, the foods we eat are filling and satisfying (and delicious!). I have some way to go but this is a lifestyle change not a diet and I’m feeling so much better for it!”; “the dr suggested this new way of eating. I’ve not got diabetes, just extremely overweight. So first week I’ve lost 6lbs, second week 5lbs”; “I am SO happy!!!”; “Just weighed in and I’ve lost a total of 2 stone and 1lb”; “We have both reached our target weight and I have dropped out of pre-diabetic.”; “Overall I have lost 23lbs and am now 19st 10lb :). I feel so much better in myself – I am doing a virtual walking challenge and have managed 100 miles in January & have even bought a bike! Thank you for running the groups – I never would’ve been successful without the GP’s videos and the ideas from the group.”
Data protection
Colne Valley PCN operates in accordance with data protection legislation meaning the General Data Protection Regulation ((EU) 2016/679) and any national implementing laws, regulations, and secondary legislation, as amended or updated from time to time, in the UK and then (ii) any successor legislation to the GDPR or the Data Protection Act 1998. We respect your privacy. Please advise us at any time if you do not wish to receive further information or contact from us.
