The Health and Wellbeing Coaches at Colne Valley PCN provide support for patients interested in making lifestyle changes to improve their health. They offer telephone-based coaching for those referred to or seeking additional guidance on the Freshwell Low Carb Programme to:
- Discuss low carb and how it aligns with your goals (and other weight management options if appropriate with a focus on patient choice)
- Provide information about the programme and answer questions about how to follow the low carb lifestyle
- Develop an action plan for getting started
- Offer accountability and motivation
- Troubleshoot any challenges
- For coaching clients, a supplemental Getting Started Guide is provided with details of how to book follow-up coaching. However, this guide is not required to access the core Freshwell programme itself, which has everything you need to get started.
The Freshwell Low Carb programme is available at https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/ without needing a referral. This includes all the information, education and resources to get started with the low carb approach.
The very friendly local Freshwell Low Carb Community group on Facebook is also available to join right now – just visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/382235179606729/
Importantly, for patients on diabetes medications that carry hypoglycaemia risk, our coaches will suggest that they have a medication review before starting low carb. This is because some diabetes medications carry the risk of your blood sugar dropping too low when you cut down on carbs. If you are on any medication other than metformin for your type 2 diabetes, please book a call with the PCN health and wellbeing coach in the first instance. She will then arrange a medication review with the PCN Pharmacy team following your call. Please don’t make dramatic dietary changes until after this review
Please note our coaches are unable to help patients wanting access to weight loss jabs (Wegovy). Please see the Mid and South Essex ICB webpage for the latest info on this: https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/news/wegovy-access-in-mid-and-south-essex/
To book a call with our PCN Health and Wellbeing Coach (Low Carb) please complete our self-referral form:
Self-referral formEligibility criteria for the Freshwell Low Carb Programme at Colne Valley PCN
- Aged 18 years or older
- BMI of over 25 and/or a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes
- Registered with a Colne Valley PCN GP practice
- Motivated to change your lifestyle and commit to the programme
Exclusions: Pregnant, history of eating disorders
What is a low carb lifestyle?
The following basic principles underpin the low carb approach:
- Reduce sugar intake to an absolute minimum
- Eat real food
- Avoid processed food
- Reduce your starchy carbohydrate intake a lot
- Eat healthy fats
- Avoid vegetable oils
- Avoid snacking
Read more about how to get started with a low carb lifestyle:
Freshwell Low Carb ProjectWhat to expect from the Freshwell Low Carb Programme at Colne Valley PCN
Once your referral is received, you will be sent an appointment for an initial telephone call from one of our health and wellbeing coaches. This will be an opportunity for you to discuss the programme in more detail and help get you started on your low carb journey.
You will be offered phone based coaching support alongside a guide to getting started with the Freshwell Low Carb Programme resources. You can use these sessions to ask any questions about the educational materials, set SMART goals, review your successes and challenges, and move forward towards your goals over a 12-week period.
Feedback from a participant
I wanted to send a note to say thank you for your support and guidance over the past few months. I can’t believe I have now lost 5 stone since June. Our regular conversations have really helped me stay on track and the information you have provided about eating low carb and the Freshwell plan has supported my journey to change how I approach diet and exercise. I have 2 stone to go to reach my goal of a healthy BMI and feel confident that I can get there. My first park run at Markshall went okay yesterday too!! Thank you again, your calls really made a difference.
Colne Valley PCN Low Carb Programme Participant, December 2022
Freshwell Low Carb Community
Alongside the Freshwell Low Carb Programme at Colne Valley PCN, an independent, thriving, friendly and supportive patient led low carb community has developed in the Colne Valley area. You can join the community by visiting their facebook group, where you will also find details of various local meet ups to support you on your low carb journey.
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.
