Meet Janet King: Leading the Way to a Healthier Haringey

This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Janet King, one of our inspiring Heart Champion Resident Providers on the Healthy Hearts: Haringey Resident Fund project. Janet has been making a remarkable impact in the Haringey community by promoting health and well-being through her role as a Resident Provider. Her passion for improving local health outcomes is truly remarkable

For the past 12 weeks, Janet has been leading a group of 28 individuals on the ‘Walking for a Healthier Heart’ walks, a weekly activity that has taken participants on a journey from the Engine Room in Tottenham Hale through the scenic Tottenham Marshes. These walks have not only provided participants with the opportunity to improve their cardiovascular health but have also given residents a sense of community and support. She also facilitated crucial health checks for the walkers, including BMI, peak flow, and blood pressure assessments, allowing participants to track their progress and better understand their health risks, empowering them to take proactive steps toward improving their well-being.

Together, the group has walked an astounding 1,752,836 steps, an achievement that highlights the dedication and motivation of both Janet and the participants

We are incredibly proud of Janet and the impact she’s had on her community. Her efforts serve as a powerful reminder of how local initiatives, led by passionate individuals, can bring about meaningful change for the health of the entire community:

How long have you lived in Haringey?

Since I came here in 1962, I’ve always lived in Haringey.

What’s your favourite thing about Haringey?

The community. I like the community spirit, especially in the churches. The community itself, to me, they do quite a lot of things for one another. People come together and if something happens there’s always somebody or something there you can go to.

What did you enjoy the most about being a Resident Provider?

I was doing something that people were interested in, something helping the group. This gave the group a kind of purpose. Because we’re walking for a purpose, people are more enthusiastic. The health check really was an eye-opener for them. And I like to do figures, monitoring how many steps we made. And the getting together, they were more bonded; they wanted to stick to the program and made sure they turned up on time.

What does having a healthy heart mean to you?

When you think of your life, you think of longevity. If you’re feeling better within yourself, your whole life feels different. A healthy heart makes you feel that you’re alive. Your heart is you!

Is there anything else you want to share with the community?

Get out of the house! The most important thing is going out, meeting people, associating with people. There are so many things out there in the borough.

Learn more about the Healthy Hearts: Haringey Resident Fund project!

When you think of your life, you think of longevity. If you’re feeling better within yourself, your whole life feels different. A healthy heart makes you feel that you’re alive. Your heart is you!