New recruits promote outreach schemes for overweight children in Oldham

Oldham Community Leisure (OCL) has appointed two new health and physical activity development officers to work within their health and wellbeing team. The officers will be tasked with operating two of OCL’s outreach schemes.

Julie Hilditch has been appointed to manage the Kids Active Zone. In April 2014, OCL launched the new junior exercise referral scheme, where Oldham children registering a “very overweight” reading in the national measurement scheme, will be offered free or heavily-subsidised memberships

Hilditch has worked at OCL for more than 20 years as a swimming instructor. She also has two decades’ experience as a health and social care worker within the NHS, so is well placed to provide oversight.

Peter Wolstenholme is the first full time officer of OCL’s in-house GP referral scheme and has been appointed due to an increase in referrals.

The exercise referral scheme works with 17 GP surgeries offering support to patients with various medical conditions. Once they’ve been referred on to the scheme, they receive a consultation, health check and personalised 12-week plan, giving access to a wide range of subsidised physical activities.

Peter Wolstenholme is a qualified gym instructor and personal trainer and has worked at OCL for more than five years as a fitness team leader and class instructor. He also holds the Level 3 Wright Foundation GP Referral qualification.