Small Steps for Big Changes expands to Portugal

Small Steps for Big Changes is getting a name change… in Portugal at least!

The Small Steps program, or as it is known in Portuguese, “Pequenos Passos para Grandes Mudanças (PPGM)”, is expanding to its first overseas location, YMCA Setúbal!

Building on the success of the Small Steps for Big Changes program in the Okanagan, the team has long planned to expand the program to different cultural contexts and regions.

In Portugal, one third of the population is affected by either prediabetes, type 1, or type 2 diabetes – 44% of whom are unaware of their condition! With one of the highest rates of diabetes prevalence worldwide, Portugal is the ideal location to expand the SSBC program.

From the outset, both the SSBC and YMCA Setúbal teams prioritised cultural relevance and culturally safety of the program for both coaches and participants. Great care has been taken to professionally translate the participant workbook, with several iterations of changes between the teams before completion.

The expansion to Setúbal has been the result of hard work and planning for over a year, and the team is thrilled to welcome their first participants in the community soon! Five coaches are currently in training to deliver the program to the first 15 pilot participants.

Congratulations, YMCA Setúbal!