New National Organisation Launched to Support People Living with Obesity in the UK

On 28 May 2025, a new and much-needed voice was added to the landscape of UK health advocacy with the official launch of the United Kingdom Coalition for People Living with Obesity (UKCPO). The virtual launch, held via Zoom and attended by supporters from across the UK and beyond, marked a major milestone in recognising and supporting the lived experiences of people living with obesity.

UKCPO is an independent, patient-led organisation committed to improving the lives of people living with obesity through support, education, advocacy, and community-building. The organisation is founded and run entirely by individuals with lived experience of obesity, bringing authenticity and empathy to every aspect of its work.

A Launch Rooted in Community

Chaired by long-time obesity advocate Ken Clare, the launch brought together members of UKCPO’s operations team, trustees, volunteers, and advisory group to share the coalition’s mission, plans, and values. The event highlighted the critical role of peer support in obesity care and showcased how the lived experience of obesity can inform better health policies and services.

“This is not just another organisation—this is a movement,” said Ken Clare. “A movement that says people living with obesity in the UK deserve to be seen, to be heard, and to lead the conversation about their own health.”

The session also featured an overview of UKCPO’s structure, including its:

• Peer-led support network, offering online, in-person, and Zoom-based group meetings
• Facebook support groups: one for general support and another focused on the bariatric surgery pathway
• Operations team and volunteer network, made up entirely of individuals with lived experience
• Advisory group of leading healthcare professionals and academics in obesity care and research
• Collaborations with national organisations, such as the Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) and BOMSS, and with international partners including ECPO (European Coalition for People Living with Obesity), ICPO (International Coalition), and Obesity Canada

What UKCPO Stands For

The coalition’s mission is clear: to ensure that people living with obesity are respected, supported, and included in shaping the services, policies, and narratives that affect them. UKCPO is dedicated to:

Reducing stigma and weight bias in healthcare and society

Supporting underserved and underrepresented communities

Promoting access to a full range of treatment options, including medical, behavioural, and surgical pathways

Ensuring the patient voice is present at every level—from research and education to service design and policymaking

Special emphasis is placed on reaching groups often excluded from support services, including housebound individuals, rural communities, LGBTQIA+ groups, older adults, people with severe mental health conditions, and families of children living with obesity.

Watch the Launch Online

If you missed the event, the full recording of the UKCPO launch is available to watch on the organisation’s website. The video offers insights into the founding of UKCPO, its strategic goals, and its vision for the future.

Watch the launch recording here:
www.ukcpo.org

Looking Forward

UKCPO plans to expand its peer support offerings, build regional hubs for in-person meetings, and engage with national conferences and campaigns to represent the lived experience of obesity on local and international stages. As a member-led organisation, UKCPO will grow and evolve based on the needs and feedback of its community.

“This is your community, and your voice guides our work,” said one of the volunteer leads during the event. “Tell us what matters to you, and we’ll do all we can to support it.”

For more information, to join a support group, or to get involved with UKCPO’s work, visit www.ukcpo.org or contact enquiries@ukcpo.org.