THOUSANDS of pounds worth of funding aimed at improving local people’s weight issues are being offered by Thurrock Council.

The council’s public health team is re-commissioning its weight management services for adults and for children and there are opportunities for local community groups to bid for amounts between £500 and £70,000 over two years to help adults and children achieve and maintain healthy weights.

Services will cover two tiers, tier one targets preventative and universally accessed projects while tier two is for those with a body mass index of over 28 or with pre-existing medical conditions.

The funding breaks down into:

Children aged two to five - tier one: £500 to £5,000; larger tier two groups up to £40,000.

Young adults aged 16-19 - tier one and two from £500 to £5,000.

Adults tier one from £500 to £5,000 and adults tier two from £25,000 to £70,000.

The public health team is keen to enable local community groups and projects to take part and help with the problems that affect so many people.

There is a wide selection of opportunities available and the council expects them to include increased opportunities for physical activity, education around healthy lifestyles and supportive weight management groups.

The new services are specifically designed to be wide ranging so organisations of all sizes and experience can bid for them – everything from get-fit courses to one-off or one-person-led activities; weekly weigh-ins or dietary advice sessions to walking groups and healthy cooking clubs.

The team wants to hear people’s ideas for new ways to help achieve a happier and fitter community.

The closing date for expressions of interest is January 30. Go to www.thurrock.gov.uk/public-health to find out what to do.

Three drop-in sessions have also been set up in the Civic Offices next week, offering help and advice for those interested in taking part. These are in Committee Room two on Monday, January 26 from 5pm to 8pm, and Committee Room four on both Tuesday, Janaury 27 from 3pm to 6pm and Wednesday, January 28 from 9am to 12pm.