DIABETICS in Bodmin and the surrounding area have attended a special physical activity day at Better Bodmin Leisure Centre.

Organised in partnership with Bosvena Health, people living with diabetes and pre-diabetes were invited to hear a presentation about the condition and to take part in a choice of free activity taster sessions.

Attendees were told there are 5.6m diabetics in the UK and each week 660 heart attacks, 2,990 heart failures and 930 strokes are, on average, attributed to the disease.

Research has shown that physical activity can help prevent those outcomes by improving blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes – thereby reducing cardiovascular risk disorders.

“Activity is all about moving and not sitting still for too long,” diabetes nurse Claire Bolton told her audience in Bodmin. “Low impact sports like walking football, short tennis, pickleball, swimming, yoga and pilates help keep you healthy, whilst being fun and sociable too.”

Operating under the Better brand, GLL is a not-for-profit social enterprise that runs Bodmin and nine other leisure centres in Cornwall.

Karen Edmond, GLL community sport manager, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Bosvena Health on this very important initiative. The turnout for the two sessions we ran on the day was excellent and everyone seemed to enjoy taking part and finding out more. The support services available in the provider marketplace also proved popular and useful.”

Prediabetic Pam Childs, from Bodmin, decided to come after receiving a text message about the event.

“I was diagnosed a long time ago and, although I’m quite a shy person and my condition is under control, I want to do some low impact exercise,” she said. “It’s a really interesting day and I’m glad I made myself do it.”

For more information on Better’s leisure centre activities, visit www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/cornwall