Living Lab 1: Supported Self-Management
Project impact
Delivered measurable health outcomes, with participants achieving an average weight loss of 4.1kg and improved lifestyle metrics through a digitally enabled, community-centred intervention.
Reduced pressure on NHS services by shifting care into community settings, achieving a 43% programme completion rate—around double typical engagement benchmarks.
Generated significant economic and innovation impact, securing £16.45M in additional funding and delivering an estimated £41.65 return for every £1 invested.
A digital health and community-based R&D project demonstrating how supported self-management, lifestyle interventions, and digital innovation can improve diet, weight, and overall wellbeing while reducing pressure on NHS services.
The Heart of Moray programme demonstrates how digital tools and community-based support can help people improve their diet, weight, and overall wellbeing. By combining technology, local services, and clinical expertise, the project achieved strong engagement and measurable health outcomes while reducing pressure on NHS services and creating a scalable model for population health improvement.
Summary
The programme delivered positive health, system, and economic outcomes. A total of 537 individuals engaged with the programme, with 230 completing the eight-week intervention. Participants achieved an average weight loss of 4.1kg and a 3.7% reduction in BMI, alongside improvements in physical activity, strength, and overall wellbeing.
From a system perspective, the community-based delivery model helped reduce demand on NHS services while generating an estimated 4.7 Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), equivalent to approximately £93,000 in social value. The programme also achieved higher levels of engagement and retention than many traditional approaches. Economically, an initial investment of £395,000 helped leverage £16.45 million in additional funding, supported the recruitment of eight staff members, generated local revenue growth, and demonstrated a scalable digital health model that has since been applied across multiple campaigns.
Impact & value
The programme successfully delivered three population health campaigns across Moray and developed a co-created digital platform to support lifestyle improvement and long-term condition management. More than 500 participants engaged with the programme, achieving strong retention and completion rates alongside measurable improvements in weight, physical activity, and overall wellbeing. The project also established effective partnerships between the NHS, community organisations, and technology providers, creating a collaborative model for innovation. Building on these successes, the programme secured significant follow-on funding to expand obesity pathway innovation and contribute to wider national population health initiatives.
Progress to date
Next steps
Partners
