How could you live better?
Bringing together virtual coaching, 1:1 coaching, and peer support groups, Be Well Doncaster offers positive changes to your day-to-day life
Why Be Well?
People in Doncaster deserve to live well.
While people are generally living longer, we’re not always living better — and in Doncaster, our health and wellbeing aren’t as good as elsewhere in the UK. On average, men in Doncaster can expect to live in ‘good health’ for around 57 ½ years (5.7 years fewer than the national average), and women just over 56 years (7.8 years fewer than the national average). But it doesn’t have to be that way, and Be Well is here to support residents as they make lasting changes for the better.
"I was a mess and didn’t have a direction. I didn’t know where to go, I didn’t know what to do. At the end of the five weeks, I was telling my coach where I’m going, what I’m doing and everything else"
David, South Doncaster
“Excellent listening skills and understanding. Thoughtful and helpful suggestions broken into small achievable steps. I felt really supported and have found the whole process genuinely helpful and I am very thankful to have been through the system”
Jenny, East Doncaster
“I really enjoyed me sessions, it gave me a chance to work through my issues without burdening my family. I feel so much more positive and confident going forward”
Laura, East Doncaster
“My sessions enabled me to reduce my alcohol intake. I had tried on my own but couldn't find the motivation”
James, East Doncaster
“I had a lovely coach, she took time to listen to me which is what I needed and guided me through on how I could change things, because of this I have started to lose a bit of weight and my mind is in a positive place, not a negative anymore. I was motivated to get out more and think positive... Thank you”
Antoni, Central Doncaster
What we do
Small changes can have a big impact.
Lots of factors influence your health, including where you live and work, how much you sleep, and what you eat and drink. Changing some of these behaviours can have a big — and sometimes surprising — impact. For example, getting enough sleep can lower your blood sugar levels, eating particular foods can affect your mood, and moving more can help you to manage chronic pain. Connecting with others has been shown to reduce stress, too. So, making small changes to your lifestyle can help you to live and feel better — and that’s why Be Well is here.
How we work
We'll help you find a way forward.
If you’re ready to take positive steps to improve your health behaviours, Be Well’s virtual and 1:1 health coaching can give you compassionate support, guidance, and encouragement without judgement or pressure. We know that making changes can be hard — and we know too that what works for others might not work for you. That’s why we go at your pace and let you lead the way, putting you in charge of your own health and wellbeing.
Time to Talk
98% of residents said they were given the time to talk about the things that mattered to them
Signposting
92% of residents said their coach let them know about other groups/services in their local area
Positive Changes
86% of residents said they had made positive changes to their lifestyle since seeing a Health Coach
Be Well Recommended
96% of residents would recommend Be Well Doncaster to their family and friends
Hear how James got support managing his type 2 diabetes
Before being referred to Be Well 1:1 coaching, David had become complacent about his type 2 diabetes — but his blood sugar levels had been rising. So, he asked his health coach to work with him on two goals: moving more and eating less sugar. David’s coach helped him to find simple steps and swaps that he could stick to, including going for walks after his grandson’s football games, planning meals, eating slightly smaller portions, and choosing takeout coffees rather than sweet treats while out and about. By only the second session, David had increased his walking distance from 4000 to 6000 steps each week, and by the end of the coaching process he felt happier, healthier, and had brought his blood sugar levels down to a manageable level.
Karen used coaching to find a new direction after bereavement
After losing her spouse during the pandemic, Karen referred herself to Be Well 1:1 coaching for support in finding a new direction and routine. With her coach, she chose priorities for her sessions including ‘looking after yourself’, ‘managing money’, and ‘feeling positive’. Karen’s coach also helped her to think about her values, so that she could focus on the things that were most important to her. Realising she valued community but often felt lonely, her coach invited her to Be Well’s monthly Bereavement Peer Support Group, where she met other residents and was able to share her memories and experiences. Karen also agreed to go to bereavement counselling to continue working through her loss and was referred to Citizens Advice for financial support to help her claim the right benefits. Altogether, through coaching and peer support Karen was able to start rebuilding her life and community — and feel more positive about the future.
Peter worked with a coach to tackle boredom eating
Peter was referred to Be Well 1:1 coaching after having issues with fluctuating weight. He told his coach he was often eating out of boredom, and asked for support changing his behaviour and diet. With his coach, Peter started exploring why he wanted to lose weight — as an expectant father, he felt it was important to be fitter and healthier, and he wanted to have the energy to cope with his demanding job too. Over the sessions with his coach, Peter came up with small, achievable ways of changing his eating habits. He suggested swapping high fat and sugar snacks with fruit, but allowing a day a week for his favourite treats. He started planning his meals, and decided to try walking, watching a film, and playing games instead of eating when bored. He also joined a local slimming group with his friends to give him the motivation to stick to his plans. Over three months, Peter lost 1.5 stone and continues to gradually, sustainably lose weight.
Learn how coaching helped John to begin living better
Over the Covid-19 lockdowns, John lost his job and became unwell, depressed, and isolated. He was struggling to leave his home on his own, and after a varied career had lost his motivation to work. His Be Well health coach explained how food, sleep, movement and relaxation are thought to be the four pillars to living and feeling well, and this helped John to look at what he’d like to change. He was often sleeping on the sofa instead of going to bed, so he decided to work with his coach on developing a routine and making his bedroom more comfortable. John also felt he’d become reclusive, and experienced a lot of anxiety around leaving the house — his coach shared calming techniques to help him start getting out and about. Lastly, John knew that moving more would help him to feel better, and chose to walk to all of his sessions. With the seeds of change planted, John agreed to keep working on his health after coaching and to go to counselling, hoping this would help him to feel better and happier.
See how Becky used coaching to change her eating habits
Becky was referred to Be Well 1:1 coaching as she wanted to lose weight and feel more energised. She told her coach she was eating takeaway meals up to six times a week, usually ate while looking at screens, and impulsively ate sugary snacks, and she struggled to make changes as her partner controlled what they ate. She also felt stressed and was too tired from work to be active or prepare her own meals. So, Becky worked with her coach to make small, manageable changes. Her coach referred her to resources that could help her to eat healthier food. She talked to her partner, and they agreed to make changes. She worked on building awareness of her eating habits and began preparing her food in advance — something she already did for her children. She also decided to set limits on takeaway meals, walk during lunchtimes, and use social media less. Altogether, coaching empowered Becky to change her mindset and behaviour, reducing her stress and giving her the tools she needs to live better.
Discover how Debbie got her anxiety under control
Debbie referred herself to Be Well 1:1 coaching for support with anxiety and managing her weight. She was very anxious about her blood glucose levels, and was eating every couple of hours to prevent them from dropping. By asking open questions and listening closely to Debbie’s worries and experiences, Debbie’s coach worked with her to understand where her anxiety came from, and how she might manage her feelings differently. Debbie suggested painting and listening to music when she started to feel anxious, and said that she’d also benefit from moving more; her coach shared some exercises she could do at home, and Debbie set herself the goal of walking more often and further each day. After a few coaching sessions, Debbie felt like she had much more control over her health, and could manage her anxiety well enough to go at least four hours without eating
