Get Started with Healthy Shetland
Sustainable community impact through collaboration
The Get Started with Healthy Shetland (GSwHS) programme is a locally developed adult weight management service aligned with National Weight Standards. It was designed in Shetland, based on national evidence, to offer a holistic, community-based lifestyle and physical activity programme that integrates behaviour change support with accessible exercise education, to support people who want to make long-lasting changes to their lifestyle and health.
At the heart of GSwHS is a strong partnership between NHS Shetland’s Health Improvement Team and Shetland Recreational Trust (SRT). This collaboration has enabled the delivery of a high-quality, evidence-informed service in leisure centres across Shetland, ensuring that the GSwHS programme is embedded within familiar, non-clinical community settings, this can also support people who might otherwise find it difficult to access leisure facilities on their own.
The programme was co-developed through joint efforts, including:
- Creation of bespoke content tailored to local needs.
- Cross-organisational staff training in motivational interviewing and programme delivery.
- Piloting with patient cohorts and iterative evaluation to refine the approach.
An interim evaluation completed in 2024 captured outcomes and participant feedback from the first cohort, with a full evaluation nearing completion at the end of 2024/25. These insights have informed ongoing improvements, ensuring the programme remains responsive, relevant, and sustainable.
Referrals to GSwHS are accepted via both self-referral and professional routes, with screening conducted by the Health Improvement Team. Participants are then matched to a group based on location or personal preference, including proximity to work or home. The structured 12-month programme includes:
- Eight fortnightly group sessions.
- Four follow-up check-ins over the remainder of the year.
Due to its demonstrated effectiveness and positive participant feedback, GSwHS is now being delivered on a long-term basis. The programme continues to be led by NHS Shetland Health Improvement Team, with SRT providing essential delivery support. There are ambitions to expand SRT’s role as lead facilitators where capacity allows—enhancing delivery reach and sustainability.
This collaborative model between NHS Shetland and SRT is a good example of how shared expertise, community engagement, and evidence-based practice can drive sustainable health improvement across Shetland.
Contribution to the Shetland Partnership
- People: Supporting healthier lifestyles and improving long-term wellbeing.
- Participation: Involving participants in shaping a supportive, community-based programme.
- Place: Delivering services in accessible, non-clinical community venues across Shetland.
- Money: Promoting prevention and reducing demand on more costly clinical services.