Funded by the Community Bank of Elmore, Lockington and Rochester, the weekly program will combine education and exercise across a two-hour session.
REDHS exercise physiologist Steph Pompei said local data from the Shane Warne Legacy health station installed in 2024 revealed 65 per cent of older men were at risk of developing pre-diabetes.
“It's obviously quite an issue in the community, and we're really excited to be able to provide them with the support that they need,” she said.
“We’re aiming to help with lifestyle changes. It'll range from reducing sedentary behaviour or physical inactivity, improving diet and there'll be some assistance from a social worker as well to help with the psychological side of things.”
The program will also focus on strength training and waist circumference reduction; a key indicator of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and various cancers.
Over the program’s eight-week duration, Ms Pompei will be assisted by a different allied health professional at each session.
Having worked in the field for four-and-a-half years, with two years at REDHS, Ms Pompei has seen promising results from a previous diabetes program and enjoys seeing clients achieve their goals.
“The idea is actually to teach people how to self-manage,” she said.
“They may be able to go into other exercise classes or programs at the local gym, or they might even have the skills to be able to do it at home.”
The Community Bank of Elmore, Lockington and Rochester offers two rounds of grants for projects in April and September each year.
With a focus on supporting community health, education and environment, Community Bank Executive Officer Lauren Ross said sponsoring the program was a “no-brainer”.
“This particular application ticked off all of those types of things,” she said.
“We’ve got a really long-standing partnership with REDHS as well ― they’ve been one of our strategic partners for a long time.”
The program is expected to begin at the end of April, and will be open to pre-diabetic people of all ages in the region.
Anyone concerned they may be at risk of developing diabetes can visit www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/prevention for more information.
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