By Talking Health TV –

The University of Huddersfield’s Get Set Goal programme has been credited for making a potentially life-saving change to a man’s health.

Health Check Uncovers Dangerously High Blood Pressure

Stephen Whitaker, who works as an operations manager at the Halifax Panthers’ Shay Stadium on matchdays, discovered he had dangerously high blood pressure during a health check conducted by students from the University.

This revelation came as a shock to Stephen, who was previously unaware of his condition.

The health check took place when Stephen volunteered to be the first participant during a visit by Get Set Goal at a Panthers’ rugby league match in the summer.

Following the check, Stephen made significant lifestyle changes, including improving his diet, exercising daily, and taking medication.

Life-Saving Changes Sparked by University Programme

Reflecting on his experience, Stephen said, “I volunteered to go first when the students came to us, and they showed me that my blood pressure was on the high side.

“I was given a note to see my GP within 48 hours, then I was put on a seven-day trial to check my blood pressure morning and night. But it kept going up.”

Stephen’s blood pressure reached a dangerously high level of 212 over 145 on the sixth day, leading to an emergency admission to A&E and subsequent hospitalisation.

“He spent five days in the hospital until his blood pressure was stabilised.

“It was a scary, scary time,” Stephen recounted. “If I had not had that blood pressure check, it could have cost me my life.

“It really brought home how important it is to get your blood pressure checked. Sports stadiums are great venues for these checks.

“I never had any symptoms and could have carried on without knowing. It’s so important for places like this to work with organisations like Get Set Goal.”

Get Set Goal: A Collaborative Wellbeing Initiative

Get Set Goal is a well-being service from the University’s Health and Wellbeing Academy and is part of the ‘Find Out Who You Really Are’ initiative, instigated by the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

This initiative collaborates with several local and national organisations, including Diabetes UK, Stroke Association, and Pumping Marvellous.

Impact of Community-Based Health Checks

Get Set Goal’s visits to various events, including T20 games at Headingley, rugby league matches at Huddersfield Giants, Castleford Tigers, Bradford Bulls, the Panthers, and the Honley Show, have provided one-to-one health checks that include blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pulse checks to raise awareness of stroke and heart attack risks.

The programme recently received a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) from higher education charity Advance HE.

This award recognises collaborative work that has had a significant impact on teaching and learning, highlighting the importance of teamwork in UK higher education.

Student-Led Health and Wellbeing Services

Get Set Goal was established to address placement deficits for mental health nurses by creating community-based experiences focused on health inequities.

The service is managed collaboratively by students and staff, promoting health and wellbeing through community events, health-check clinics, one-to-one wellbeing coaching sessions, wellbeing workshops, and Restart a Heart training, a national resuscitation education scheme.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Since its launch in 2022, nearly 200 students have participated in community placements through Get Set Goal, working with over 100 organisations in the region, including third-sector organisations, voluntary groups, and local primary and secondary healthcare providers.

Get Set Goal has also worked directly in local communities such as the Ashbrow Ward, hosting their health checks in community hotspots such as the Chestnut Centre in Sheepridge.

Future of Health and Wellbeing Education

The success of Get Set Goal highlights the critical role of community engagement and practical experience in health education, paving the way for future initiatives that blend academic learning with real-world impact.