A CHARITY is urging Shipston residents with learning disabilities to take part in its Feeling Healthy project this summer.

Activities are underway at Heart of England Mencap's base in Shipston, and across the Stratford and Warwick districts, supporting residents with learning disabilities to live healthy lifestyles.

They include Mindful Meals cooking courses, Tiger Feet adapted dance sessions and Mindful Movement relaxation courses.

Helena Wallis, chief executive of Heart of England Mencap, said: "People with learning disabilities have significantly poorer health than people who do not have a learning disability.

"Good health begins with promoting well-being and preventing ill- health. We want the people we support to eat well, stay active and have a healthy mind, and this grant is enabling our customers to do all three.

"Teaching our customers how to prepare the right meals, enjoy exercise and use movement to reduce anxieties can be empowering and life-changing."

The Feeling Healthy project is funded by a £9,375 grant from Joint Healthy South Warwickshire, made up of contributions from Public Health Warwickshire, South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group, along with Stratford and Warwick District Councils.

Cllr Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health, said: "We are delighted to be able to support this project educating, encouraging and enabling local people with learning disabilities to look at how they can live healthier lifestyles.

"Small changes to what we eat and how we stay active can make a very big difference to wellbeing, both physical and emotional."

For more information visit heartofenglandmencap.org.uk