The Birmingham Momenta Weight Management programmes

Birmingham City Council

UPDATE – THIS PROGRAMME HAS NOW BEEN REFUNDED BY BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL FOR ADULTS AGED 55 AND OVER. 

This page explains more about the FREE Momenta Weight Management programme in Birmingham. It helps you understand whether you’re eligible and gives you some more information about next steps.

The Birmingham Momenta Weight Management programmes

Birmingham City Council has commissioned Momenta to deliver free weight management services for residents aged 55 and over.

If you are not aged 55 or over, we suggest you visit the Council website to see if you qualify for any of their other services. 

What is the programme?

Being above a healthy weight puts you at increased risk of a number of conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, heart and circulatory diseases, many cancers and sleep apnoea. The Birmingham Weight Management programmes are designed to support you to get all the knowledge, skills and tools you need to better manage your weight and get fitter, healthier and happier.

Results show the programme can help people lose weight, become more active, eat healthier and improve their wellbeing – all while having fun.

After registration and an individual assessment by phone you’ll attend a Getting started group. This 90-minute foundation session will give you the opportunity to experience the programme without committing to the full 12 weeks. You’ll almost certainly learn something new – and we’ll send you a handy booklet in advance so you’ve got a reminder to keep even if you don’t continue. At the end you can decide if you want to sign up for the full programme.

We then sign you up to the most convenient group of 12 weekly one-hour sessions available. Each session focuses on a new topic about nutrition, physical activity* or behaviour change that can help you with changing your lifestyle. You’ll have time to discuss these topics with other people and think about how to put them into practice in your own life.

Groups are for 15-20 people. You’ll be given a range of high quality resources including more extensive Workbook, a Lifestyle logbook and 12-months’ free access to a physical activity app.

*There is no actual activity in the sessions

Participant case studies

Some participants have shared their stories – you might find their experiences help you explain the programme to your patients – or they might just make you smile…

Juliet, Birmingham & Solihull

Juliet, Birmingham & Solihull

Juliet took part in our NHS Birmingham Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme. Juliet started on 120.9kg and finished…
Waqas, Birmingham & Solihull

Waqas, Birmingham & Solihull

Waqas has lost 21% of his starting weight
Faraza, Birmingham & Solihull

Faraza, Birmingham & Solihull

Faraza has lost 19% of her starting weight

To be eligible you must be a Birmingham City Council resident and meet the following criteria:

To be eligible you must be a Birmingham City Council resident and meet the following criteria:

  • Be over 55 years old
  • Have a BMI over 25 (or over 23 if you are of Black African, African-Caribbean or Asian origin). To check your BMI click here
  • Able to undertake moderate intensity physical activity - if in doubt consult your GP
  • Willing and able to attend a group programme over 12 weeks

You also need to make sure you do NOT meet any of the following exclusion criteria:

  • Have had bariatric surgery in the last two years
  • Have a significant unmanaged comorbidity (e.g. Type 2 diabetes without regular reviews)
  • Have a diagnosed eating disorder
  • Have been assessed as moderately or severely frail – or be on your GP’s Frailty register
  • Be pregnant or planning pregnancy (weight loss is not recommended).

 

If you meet any of these exclusion criteria you should discuss more appropriate services with your GP practice - or visit the Council website for more information on other services.

Is the programme right for me now?

This kind of programme might not be acceptable to or helpful for everyone above a healthy weight who meets the criteria above. It’s important for you to think carefully about whether this is the right type of support and the right time for you to take part. For example: Is managing your weight important to you at this point in your life? Does a group format appeal? Can you attend over Zoom for now? Can you commit to attending 12 weekly sessions?

It’s also important for others as there are only a limited number of free places available.

What do I do next?

If you’re eligible and would like to book a place on an upcoming programme please click here to access our secure self-referral form or email us on Support.WM@momentanewcastle.org

These services are funded by

By contacting Momenta I understand and agree that:

Relevant personal and medical information you provide to Momenta Newcastle (“Momenta”) will be stored securely on electronic systems and not used for any purpose other than programme delivery, ensuring patient safety and monitoring and evaluation.

The programme is delivered by Momenta, who will securely share this data and other programme-related data, including any test results and other outcomes, with your GP practice to enable the programme to be delivered safely and evaluated.

Momenta will also report anonymous descriptive and outcomes data (with no personally identifiable information) to Birmingham City Council and the Department of Health and Social Care for evaluation and monitoring purposes.

Momenta will not share your information with third party marketing organisations.

Your data will be treated as confidential and held, shared and disposed of in line with all legal requirements (including the Data Protection Act) and NHS guidance (which includes the Caldicott Guidelines).

For more information see our Privacy Policy below.