Richard Burton, 64, from Kimberworth, had always known what it meant to be fit. In the 1990s, he was a marathon runner for Rotherham Harriers. But life, work and stress slowly took their toll.

“I trained as a nurse, qualified in 1998, and from then on my weight went up and my health went down,” Richard says. “Exercise just took a back seat.”

By the time he spotted an advert for United in Health in a local newspaper, Richard weighed 16½ stone and was classed as pre-diabetic.

“I thought, I’ll never be in a worse position unless I do something about it,” he explains. “So, I signed up.”

Richard joined initially to lose weight and improve his fitness, but what he found was far more than a workout programme.

“The very first session stands out,” he says. “I was terrified. I was self-conscious and had no confidence. But by the end, I realised I wasn’t on my own.”

That sense of belonging kept him coming back, and he’s now been part of the programme for around four years.

“It became something I looked forward to,” he says. “I couldn’t wait for the second session.”

During his time on the programme, Richard experienced a profound personal loss when his wife passed away.

“I was in a very low place,” he says. “Coming here, being around the coahes and other participants, they helped me through that.”

For Richard, the programme highlighted something crucial: mental health matters just as much as physical health.

“My confidence is much better now,” he says. “I feel healthier, lighter, and more positive.”

The education side of United in Health played a huge role in Richard’s progress.

“I learned about portion sizes, good and bad fats, hydration, things I hadn’t fully appreciated before,” he explains. “Now I read food labels, use the traffic-light system, and make better choices without really thinking about it.”

Those changes paid off. Richard is no longer pre-diabetic, his statin medication was not increased, and his overall health markers have improved.

“I’m 64, and my youngest daughter is 24,” he says. “I want to stick around.”

Physically, he’s rebuilt his fitness steadily, from walking the stadium concourse to running 5Ks again and building towards 10Ks, even managing exercise around a back injury from a car accident.

“The coaches push you,” he says, “but never beyond what you can manage.”

One of the biggest impacts for Richard has been the friendships he’s made.

“I’ve met people who’ve become real friends,” he says. “One of them and I now go to matches together, we’ve had Rotherham United F.C. season tickets for over a year.”

The staff, particularly Jessie and Dan, have been central to that experience.

“Their enthusiasm is infectious,” Richard explains. “They motivate you beyond what you think you’re capable of, without judgement.”

Richard is clear about what he’d say to anyone considering joining United in Health:

“It’s gentle, inclusive, and tailored to you. I started where you are now. I’m fitter, healthier, and more confident.”

“They don’t tell you what not to do,” he adds. “They explain the consequences and let you make the choice. That’s empowering.”

For Richard, the programme has helped him do more than improve his health, it’s helped him live his life fully again.

To find out more about United in Health, or RUCT’s Health & Wellbeing sessions please email health@ruct.co.uk.