A SLIMMING World consultant used her classes to bring people together during lockdown and is now on the hunt for new members.

43-year-old Faith Howard, who lives in Chineham has run the local Chineham Branch of Slimming World for 17 years.

During the Covid-19 pandemic she used her Slimming World classes, which were held on Zoom throughout the nationwide lockdowns to bring people together.

Many elderly residents are members of Faith’s classes and she had to teach them how to use Zoom so that they could continue to take part.

She said: “It was so rewarding to help people and the online Zoom classes also supported them emotionally as well as teaching them about their food.

“I hoped it would help and support them with how to keep in contact with their own families.”

Faith said that it was wonderful to see her members build such “amazing relationships” and some of them even ended up becoming good friends outside of classes.

Prior to running Slimming World, the 43-year-old worked as a Community Learning Disability nurse at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital for 10 years.

She said that running Slimming World gave her the opportunity to still help people and she loves everything about her job.

She added: “I don’t hate going to work in the mornings.”

Faith chose to give up her 10-year nursing career to devote her time to her Slimming World classes and family including her children.

During the COVID-19 pandemic she returned to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital as a Health Care assistant.

She added: “I couldn’t just sit there at home and do nothing, and I still wanted to be able to do my bit.”

Faith said that since she went back to hosting her Slimming World classes in person, she has struggled to get the word out and is always on the hunt for new members.

She said: “It’s been a real challenge to get the word out that we are meeting in person again and it’s just been such a joy to have the buzz back in the room.”

Mick Thompson, who met Faith at one of her Slimming World classes said that Faith is one of the “most amazing people” he has ever met.

He added: “What I have really admired about her is her genuine enthusiasm to make positive changes in people’s lives, many of whom have faced tremendous personal challenges.”

Faith hopes to increase the number of people who attend her classes now national restrictions have been lifted.

More information about joining Slimming World can be found here: www.slimmingworld.co.uk.