Looking back at a very special year for my Slimming World groups in Stevenage and Hitchin.
There are some moments in my Slimming World career that I will always remember, and receiving my first Gold Award in 2024 was certainly one of them.
In December that year, The Comet published an article celebrating my Gold Award for the Hitchin group, recognising both the number of members I supported each week and the high standard of service provided within our group. Earlier in the year, my St Nicholas group in Stevenage had also achieved Pearl status, making me the first consultant to receive that recognition that year. Two wonderful achievements, and two very proud moments!
The real stars of the show
What made those awards particularly special was knowing what had gone into achieving them. Behind every award were real people, real challenges and countless moments of determination, encouragement and success. During 2024, an incredible 71 of my members reached their personal target weights. That is 71 people achieving something they had worked towards, often overcoming challenges and developing new habits along the way.
I remember saying to The Comet at the time that although I was the person receiving the award, it really belonged to everyone in our groups. I still feel exactly the same way. These awards recognise the support we provide, but that support works because of the wonderful community our members create together.
Kindness, encouragement and a little laughter
One of the things I particularly enjoyed about the newspaper article was the opportunity to challenge some of the misconceptions people can have about slimming groups. I have always believed that nobody needs to feel guilty, ashamed or embarrassed about their weight. Walking into a group for the first time can take courage, and the welcome someone receives can make an enormous difference. My aim has always been to create a place where people feel comfortable, supported and understood. Somewhere they can celebrate their successes, talk openly about their challenges and leave feeling more confident about the week ahead. There is plenty of practical support, food inspiration and motivation, of course, but there is also laughter, friendship and a genuine sense of belonging. That combination is something I am enormously proud of.
The beginning of many more celebrations
Looking back at those awards now, I am reminded of how much our groups have continued to achieve.
Since then, we have celebrated further awards, wonderful member successes and recognition for the strength of our groups, including our 2026 Group of the Year finalist achievement and Diamond Awards.
Each new recognition is exciting, but it never becomes something I take for granted. I know how much work, commitment and encouragement sit behind those achievements, both from me and from the members who make our groups what they are. The trophies and certificates are lovely reminders, but the moments I treasure most are seeing someone reach a target they once thought impossible, regain confidence or discover that they can enjoy losing weight without feeling deprived or judged.
Still going for gold!
I have been incredibly fortunate to receive recognition for work that I genuinely love, and I am grateful for the support and training Slimming World has provided throughout my journey. Most of all, I am grateful to the members who have trusted me to support them, encouraged one another and helped build such special communities in Stevenage and Hitchin. Those first awards will always have a special place in my heart, but the real reward has never changed.
It is seeing people succeed, watching their confidence grow and knowing that we have achieved something wonderful together.
Here is to many more celebrations, milestones and moments worth remembering!
Sarah x
My Gold and Pearl Awards were featured in The Comet on 27 December 2024, in the article “Slimming World consultant wins award for helping in Hitchin”.
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