Heart Research UK is funding a new community project in Sheffield that will help adults living with cardiovascular risk factors become more active, improve their heart health and build healthier habits for the long term. The project, named: Moving More, Living Longer will provide structured exercise, heart-health education and personalised support to adults aged 31–75 living in some of Sheffield’s most deprived priority neighbourhoods.
Heart disease remains a significant public health issue in Sheffield, where the under-75 mortality rate from cardiovascular disease is higher than the national average, largely due to persistent health inequalities across the city.
The 12-month programme, running from September 2026 to August 2027, will support 120 people across six cohorts. Participants will be referred through four Sheffield GP practices within the Peak Edge Primary Care Network: Woodseats Medical Centre, Sloan Medical Centre, Baslow Road Surgery and Meadowgreen Health Centre.
The project is designed for people with cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity, while also recognising the important role that social isolation can play in people’s health and wellbeing.
Bringing heart-health support into the community
The project will be led by Director of Community Wellness Services CIC David Birds, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the health and fitness sector. The programme aims to make exercise and heart-health support accessible through familiar community settings.
Participants will take part in:
Exercise sessions will be delivered by Level 4 Exercise Referral Specialists and adapted to individual abilities and health needs. Sessions will focus on functional mobility, strength and cardiovascular fitness, combining structured exercise with an opportunity to build social connections. The programme will also provide practical advice to help participants continue being active beyond the 12-week intervention.
Reaching communities most affected by health inequalities
A key feature of the project is its focus on reaching people who can face greater barriers to accessing traditional health and exercise services.
Community outreach will take place in settings already used and trusted by local communities, including working men’s clubs, barbers, gurdwaras, mosques, temples and churches. Recruitment materials will be available in Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali and Arabic to help ensure the programme reaches a diverse range of Sheffield residents.
Supporting people to reduce their cardiovascular risk
The project will tackle several important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. For those living with high blood pressure, regular monitoring will allow exercise to be adapted where necessary, with blood pressure results shared with GPs with participants’ consent. The programme will also combine physical activity with heart-healthy nutrition education, including practical guidance on making healthier food choices and preparing nutritious meals on a budget. Just as importantly, the group-based approach will help tackle social isolation by creating a supportive environment where participants can exercise, learn and connect with others.
Lauren Hewitt, Community Health and Grants coordinator for Heart Research UK said:
“Preventing heart disease is about more than telling people to be more active. People need accessible, practical and supportive opportunities to make healthier choices, particularly in communities where the barriers to good health can be greatest.
“We’re delighted to be supporting this project in Sheffield. By bringing exercise referral, heart-health education, blood pressure monitoring and personalised support together in a community setting, the programme has the potential to help people take meaningful steps towards better heart health and healthier lives."
David Birds, Director of Community Wellness Services CIC, said:
"We know that small, achievable changes can make a real difference to people’s heart health. This project is about giving people the right support, in familiar community settings, to move more, build confidence and make healthier changes that last. We’re delighted to be working with Heart Research UK and local GP practices to bring this support directly into communities across Sheffield.”
"We know that small, achievable changes can make a real difference to people’s heart health. This project is about giving people the right support, in familiar community settings, to move more, build confidence and make healthier changes that last. We’re delighted to be working with Heart Research UK and local GP practices to bring this support directly into communities across Sheffield.”
This project in Sheffield is one of many Heart Research UK funds across the country, with the hope to help make it possible for people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease to access structured support within their own communities, helping them to move more, feel more confident and take steps towards living longer, healthier lives.
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