What is a health & wellbeing coach?
Health and wellbeing coaches are health care professionals who help people make changes to their behaviour or lifestyle so that they can live fuller and healthier lives. They are experts in helping people find out what drives them, what’s holding them back and what changes they want to make to better their health and wellbeing.
How can a health & wellbeing coach help me?
By focussing on ‘what matters to you’, a health and wellbeing coach will work alongside you to build your knowledge, confidence and skills to manage your health condition and improve your wellbeing.
Health and wellbeing coaches also help people with a range of long-term conditions including respiratory & cardiovascular conditions (such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure) and stress/ low mood. They can help people with lifestyle and behaviour changes that help with weight management, diet, physical activity, sleep or other areas that help to improve your health and wellbeing. See below for more details of other ways health coaching can help you:
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If you struggle to accomplish what you want to improve your health and wellbeing, we can help you to explore the barriers you face and build the motivation and confidence you need to take actions on your goals. This can include finding the motivation and confidence to be more socially active, find a job, improve relationships, exercise more and/or seek the support you need.
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Often, managing long-term health conditions can be easier to achieve when we take certain actions, such as speaking to the correct health professionals, taking medication, going for routine appointments and increasing our knowledge of the condition. If these are the types of goals that would help you to manage your long-term health conditions better, your health and wellbeing coach can support you in achieving this.
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Your coach can help you manage your weight by helping you to explore what your ideal weight is, what a healthy lifestyle looks like to you and helping you to set realistic goals that can help you achieve/sustain a healthy weight.
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If your habits and behaviours are currently negatively impacting your health and wellbeing, (for example addictions such as smoking) your coach can help you to explore your current choices, the reasons behind them and help guide you towards health-promoting behaviours.
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Your health coach can provide a non-judgemental space for you to discuss your stresses and explore your thoughts and feelings. Your coach can also support you in identifying tools and techniques to help you manage stress, your mindset and emotions.
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Where appropriate, your health coach can signpost you to helpful resources, such as community programmes, useful contacts, websites and apps, and also to work with other health professionals to help you get the support you need.
Video of patient experiences with Health and Wellbeing Coaching
To watch the full video by NHS England, visit:
What will a health coaching session look like?
One-to-one or group coaching.
Face-to-face, telephone or video sessions.
6 sessions lasting up to 50 minutes.
Group sessions are run in small groups with people who might share common conditions or situations and want to learn and explore ways that can improve their health and wellbeing.
How can I be referred to a health & wellbeing coach?
To self-refer, please complete the form below. Alternatively, contact your GP practice for a referral or for more information.
Self- referral link https://forms.office.com/e/SAL244iia0
For any other enquiries about the health & wellbeing service, please click the “contact us” button or use the contact form in the contact us page.