WORCESTERSHIRE residents aiming to get healthier this summer now have extra support to achieve their goals thanks to a new free online tool.

The ‘Let’s Do This Eight-Week Challenge’ has been developed by the National Charity Partnership, a partnership between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and supermarket giant Tesco, and allows users to set and track their health-related goals over an eight-week period.

Goals focus on achievable everyday changes - such as consuming healthier drinks and eating smaller portion sizes - and becoming more physically active.

The online eight-week challenge, which can be accessed from any computer, tablet or mobile phone, also contains a bank of healthy recipes endorsed by Diabetes UK and the BHF, achievable fitness tips and health-related inspiration to keep people motivated.

Alex Davis, Head of Prevention for the National Charity Partnership, said: “The idea behind our eight-week challenge is to support people to make small, positive changes to their lifestyle which will ultimately help to make a big difference to their long-term health.

“The Let’s Do This Eight-Week Challenge is designed to help get people started on their personal journey towards developing lifelong healthier behaviours such as eating more fruit and vegetables and getting more active.

“We’re encouraging people in Worcestershire to use our online tool, make a lifestyle change for eight weeks and discover the benefits these changes can make.”

Lindsey Crompton, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “At Tesco we’re committed to helping our customers, colleagues and communities live healthier lives and the new Let’s Do This Eight-Week Challenge is a great way to support people to make small, positive changes to their daily lifestyle.”

The aim of the Let’s Do This Eight-Week Challenge is to get people moving more and eating healthily by kick-starting small healthier habits. Being active and eating a healthy diet are both known to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease – serious conditions that are largely preventable.

The Let’s Do This Eight Week Challenge can be accessed at www.lets-dothis.org.uk/challenge.

• The National Charity Partnership, which was launched in January 2015, is working to help people reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease by leading healthier, active lifestyles. The challenge forms part of the partnership’s UK-wide Let’s Do This campaign and aims to inspire people to set achievable lifestyle goals to boost their health and wellbeing.

• The Let’s Do This Eight-Week Challenge evolved from a previous web-based tool developed by the National Charity Partnership. The original goal setter tool allowed users to set and monitor health-related goals, but not in a way that would encourage lasting lifestyle change. The new Eight-Week Challenge makes it easier for users to set milestones and track progress until they reach the eight week target.

• The partnership aims to raise £30 million by 2018. Half of the money, which is mainly raised by Tesco colleagues, will be spent directly by the partnership on projects to help prevent Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease. The remaining funds will be split equally between Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation.

• For more information about the National Charity Partnership visit www.tescocharitypartnership.org.uk.