What is Step into Health?
The Step into Health programme at Loughborough College is a Government funded health and wellbeing initiative designed to help adults 19yrs+ improve their lifestyle, whilst achieving a qualification in the process
Participants who meet the eligibility requirements can take advantage of the programme at no cost, thanks to funding provided by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (Department of Education). However, this also means that adherence to specific funding criteria is necessary, details of which are outlined in this presentation
Step into Health is distinct in its approach to health and wellbeing. Here are some key differences that set it apart from other wellbeing courses:
Personalisation: Step into Health provides personal feedback for each participant, ensuring tailored support and guidance throughout the course
Comprehensive Coverage: It covers three core elements: physical activity & health, nutrition & healthy eating, and stress management, offering a holistic approach to wellbeing
Flexibility: The programme is a distance learning course, allowing participants to ‘study’ when and where it suits them with flexible learning options
Outcome: Upon completion, participants can achieve an Entry Level Three Aim Award qualification, which can be a stepping stone for further education or entering the workforce
How is Step into Health delivered?
Delivered over 8-weeks, the course focuses on on three core elements:
Physical Activity and Health: Personal tutors provide resources and support to help you control your physical activity levels
Nutrition and Healthy Eating: You'll receive expert tips and guidance to manage your nutrition and diet effectively
Stress Management: The programme offers strategies to better manage thoughts and feelings and reduce stress
Are there any pre-requisites to participate?
Step into Health does not list specific pre-requisites for participation, however it is subject to funding criteria outlined below:
Participants must be 19 years old at the start of the current academic year (there is no upper age limit)
Have lived in the UK for 3 or more years
Unfortunately, due to the specific devolution agreements in place, residents of certain regions of England are not eligible for the programme at no cost. These regions currently include: Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Greater Manchester, Greater London, Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley, West Midlands, West of England (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol South and Gloucestershire), West Yorkshire (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield), and Sheffield City Region
While this news may be disappointing for those participants who fall outside of the eligibility criteria, we are able to offer free access to our online resources to support your health and wellbeing
Step into Health is designed to be accessible and beneficial for a wide range of individuals interested in improving their health and wellbeing
However, since it’s a distance learning course, participants would benefit from basic computer skills and access to the internet to complete the course materials online and access the weekly tutorials
If preferred, there is option to request a learning pack through the post at no cost to you. You will be asked your preference during the Pre-Course Questionnaire
How much time is involved?
We know that finding time to complete a course can be a challenge especially since everyone seems to be leading such busy lives
You may already consider some of the things listed below are already part of your life, and you may even do them without thinking, but these are just some of the things which form part of the course, for example it can be as simple as ...
- Physical activity - i.e. walking, housework, shopping activities, cleaning the car, gardening, an exercise class
- Preparation - i.e. planning your physical activity programme, planning meals, writing a shopping list, cooking
- Reading - i.e. emails, weekly tutorials and adobe express presentations, reading the course manual; reading food labels
- Reflection - i.e. contemplation/thinking, assessing/analysing, writing and note taking. For those participants who fall outside of the eligibility criteria, we are eager to offer you free access to our online resources to support your health and well-being
The time you spend on each module will vary throughout the weeks and from person to person. However, as a guide we suggest allowing approx. 1.5hrs to 2.5hrs to complete each of the three modules
Please note: You will not be required to attend Loughborough College unless you'd like to take advantage of a complementary health assessment and our subject related workshops
The action plan, which you will receive with your course welcome, provides you with a weekly time frame over 8 weeks in which to complete all three modules
The answers to the questions require either one word or short sentences
Please note: There are no essays or long paragraphs to write and definitely no exams.
Developing your skills and behaviours ...
Each module provides you with the opportunity to apply what you have learnt by developing your skills and behaviours to help you make a difference to your health and wellbeing, whilst also providing you with the opportunity to consider your current lifestyle, to enable you to decide where you can introduce realistic and sustainable changes
Upon completion of each module you will receive subject related feedback
Completing the work ...
We have listened to our students and to help with the ease to completing the course we have two options available ...
The first option is to complete all three modules as a workbook containing the questions and the plans/programme - these can be either online (editable PDF) or as a hard copy
Returning each workbook is simple too, you can either email them or take a copy and return it to us at Loughborough College
OR
The second option is ...
where you complete the questions on Microsoft Forms (links to be provided) using your phone, computer or laptop
After which you complete the plans/programme that supports each module either online (editable PDF) or hard copy format
Returning your plans/programme is easy too, as you can email them or you can take a copy and return them back to us at Loughborough College
Measuring progress and impact ...
We ask that prior to the start of the course you complete a short Pre-course questionnaire (Microsoft Forms)
At the end of the course you will be asked to complete an End of Course questionnaire which will help us to assess the achievements you have made.
This is then presented to you in a Learner Progress Review document
What support will I receive?
"The whole course has been helpful, sometimes it is easy to forget how to look after your own needs"
"I think I probably had all the knowledge in my head but this course made me stop, take time out and think about it and consider my own health. This course has really helped me reflect and make some important changes"
"A really useful course I have recommended to friends and colleagues"
"I have really enjoyed this course, and it came at the right time for me. It has really helped me kickstart a lifestyle change that I needed to happen, and I feel empowered with knowledge now I have completed the course, and really motivated to make the changes I have made continue beyond the course"
How do I take part?
To secure your spot, kindly fill out the Step into Health Enquiry Form below, indicating your desired course date. Our programme is available on various dates throughout the academic year which extends from August to June
We look forward to welcoming you to the programme and are here to assist with any questions you may have at stepintohealth@loucoll.ac.uk
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