How Slimming World founder touched hearts and changed lives within Derry

A Slimming World Consultant from Derry has paid tribute to Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, the founder of the weight loss organisation, who died on Sunday, February 2 2025.

Georgina McCarter, who manages 16 Slimming World groups, including her own two at the Waterfoot Hotel and the team based in the Cityside and Waterside of our gorgeous city, says Margaret’s mission has been to change lives across the UK and Ireland, including in our town in Derry city.

Georgina says: “Since becoming a Consultant in 2010 I have supported hundreds/thousands of members to reach the size and weight they want to be. More than that though, losing weight has helped those members achieve their dreams – from having the confidence to get the career of their dreams and having much longed-for children, to transforming their health so they could live longer, happier lives.

"I’ve seen all of these things in my group and none of them would have been possible if Margaret hadn’t started the very first Slimming World group in 1969.”

Margaret founded Slimming World 56 years ago with a determination to help people shed the burden of excess weight without shame or guilt. Her own experiences of trying to lose weight left her with the passionate belief that people living with overweight and obesity needed to be treated as adults, and with respect and compassion. Those founding principles remain at the core of the organisation – and the GROUP group – today.

Georgina says she has been overwhelmed by the number of members who’ve been personally affected by Margaret’s death because of the huge impact they feel she and Slimming World have had on their own and their families’ lives.

She says: “Margaret’s legacy is absolutely phenomenal. The ripple effect of what she created in Slimming World has changed so many people’s lives, and will continue to do so for many more years to come. Many of my members have wanted to pay their respects to Margaret and tell their personal stories of the difference she made to them, so in our groups, we’ve been capturing members’ personal condolences, memories and messages of love and support to Margaret’s family, which will be bound into a beautiful book to honour her.”

Georgina says she personally will never forget the impact Margaret had on her life: "The day I walked through the doors of slimming world I felt no judgement, just help, support and care to help me achieve my target weight having had lost over six stone and then I was offered the opportunity to go along to an opportunity event to become a consultant. I couldn’t believe it lol.

"I became a consultant in August 2010 and was then offered a managers in 2015, even though I'd been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Slimming World won Investors in People Award so many times and when I met Margaret in 2012 I knew why, her love care and passion for ever single person oozed out. I love quotes, and one of Margaret I will hold forever in my heart is where all perfectly imperfect and I know our logo is touching hearts and changing lives and I'm so lucky along side my team of consultants and all their members we will carry her vision on."

Hayden Kennedy from the Sports Complex group in Derry has lost 4st since joining Slimming World with her mum Sarah.

Hayden was originally part of the 11-15 years plan we once had that since has become our family affair plan for all the family to follow so the parents can teach new habits and introduce a healthier lifestyle for everyone. Some of Hayden’s favourite foods would be chicken curry, chicken fajitas and Slimming World chips.

Biggest changes would be learning to eat to my appetite , drinking more water rather than lemonade all the time, swapping out crisps like sensation crisps to Cheetos, eating snack a jacks and the low cal popcorn and loving my new weight and new habits.

Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE died on Sunday,  February 2 2025 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.