Luton slimming expert wins community impact award for helping local people lose 426 stone in a year

Julie Horrocks , who runs the Wigmore Church Slimming World group Crawley Green Road Luton every week, was presented with the award at a prestigious celebration day at the company’s Derbyshire Head Office.

Julie has helped 39 of her members to reach their target weights, a goal each member chooses for themselves, over the past year, with many more close to doing the same. She is hugely proud of the difference she makes within her local community.

She says: “Attending this event is an achievement for everyone in the my groups– they’ve reached for the stars with their weight losses! Over the past year alone, they’ve shed an incredible total of 426 stone and drastically improved their health.”

Julie also achieved Slimming World’s Gold and Gold Again Awards in May 2024 and August 2025. The win acknowledges her for running one of the best weight loss groups across the UK and Ireland.

She achieved this thanks to the number of people she supports each week, the exceptional level of service she provides, and the incredible weight loss results she empowers her members to achieve.

Julie and other high achieving weight loss experts were greeted on the day by some of the company’s directors and were given a behind-the-scenes tour of head office and heard about exciting developments happening within the business to further improve the organisation's support to them and their members. Their biggest wins as Consultants were showcased and they enjoyed a delicious celebration lunch before having a photo taken to mark the occasion.

Julie says: “It was an absolute honour to be invited to the Slimming World Head Office for this celebration day. It was so special meeting other Consultants like me who are working across the UK and Ireland to support people to lose weight and improve their health. Hearing all of the amazing milestones we’d helped members to achieve was staggering and I felt so moved knowing me and my members are a part of it.”

Julie lost 2stone 10lbs with Slimming World herself before becoming a self-employed Consultant. She says: “I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to get to where I so desperately wanted to be with my weight, or where to even start. I gave Slimming World a try after a friend recommended it.

" I remember I was so nervous walking into my first group session, but I was met with such warmth and finally felt like I’d found a place where everyone just got it. With the support of my group, I lost weight while enjoying delicious, filling meals – I couldn’t believe it! It’s incredible to think how far I’ve come.

Julie’s weight loss journey inspired her to launch her own Slimming World groups in Luton and Welwyn Garden City, to help people like herself to lose weight and improve their health. She has been running her successful groups for 7 years alongside teaching fitness classes and love how the two go hand in hand and loved seeing people feeling accomplished.

She says: “It’s so special running my own Slimming World groups and supporting my members with their weight loss. Seeing them reach each milestone and celebrating with them is the most incredible feeling. I truly believe I have the best, most rewarding, role in the world and this award makes it even more special.”

Julie welcomes anyone wanting to lose weight to her Wigmore Church Luton group – including anyone taking weight loss injections – for support to build healthy habits and keep the weight off long term.

She says: “When it comes to feeling unhappy with your weight, I really have been there too, so I completely get how tempting it can be to turn to solutions like weight loss injections that might appear easier and promise to be a quick fix.

"Sadly, there’s no magic spell for losing weight and, most importantly, keeping it off long term. It requires real change, to build lasting healthy habits around food, drink and activity and to address the deeper mindset shifts that are needed to support your weight loss long term. That’s why we are seeing people who are taking weight loss drugs join Slimming World groups, to get support that will help them maintain their weight loss long after the medication stops.”

Slimming World is currently looking for highly motivated, compassionate people who would like to inspire others to achieve their weight loss goals and lead a healthier life like Julie, as a self-employed Slimming World Consultant. For more information on this flexible, rewarding role visit https://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/become-a-consultant

Julie’s warm and welcoming Wigmore Church Slimming World group is held every Tuesday at 9amat Wigmore Church Crawley Green Road Luton. To join pop along or for more information contact Julie on 07722166672.