MEND – where families get fit for free

Description

The FREE, fun 10-week MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it!) programme, starting at Banwell School, Backwell School and Broadoak College from January 2012, will help families get a healthy start to 2012 by teaching them top tips on how to eat more healthily and keep active.

At the after-school MEND programme, children aged 7-13 years and their parents learn about healthy eating together. The kids then play fun active games while the parents learn how to set healthy goals and rewards and swap ideas and tips with other parents.

The programme is run by NHS North Somerset and North Somerset Council. MEND was developed by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and University College London Institute of Child Health. Independent research shows that children who attend the programme reduce their BMI and waist circumference while their fitness and self-esteem increases too.

Alison Arnold who will run the programme at Banwell School says: “As experts in health and nutrition, we work with families to help them identify their unhealthy habits and swap them for healthy ones. MEND is not a diet, it's about supporting families to create a healthy home environment and make small changes that can make a big difference. We know our approach works as kids leave the programme full of energy and confidence.”

Comments from mums who have been on the programme in North Somerset include:

“My daughter has much more energy and confidence. I’d recommend the MEND programme to any family as it is fun and social…”

"Children enjoy making new friends from different schools, MEND increases their confidence… "

And some of the youngsters commented: "It's fun, you get to make new friends and do new activities" and "It's amazing! We learn lots of things and how to be fit and healthy."

 

If you're worried about your child's weight and you'd like to talk to someone to see if MEND is right for your family, call 0800 230 0263 or go to

www.mendcentral.org

 

Or talk to your local course leader

Banwell School

Alison Arnold on 01934 854 064

Broadoak College

Xanne (pronounced Zan) Blythe on 01934 422 000

Backwell School

Marie Davis on 01275 465 942

 

Organized by

Event Categories: 1 Monday, 3 Wednesday, 6 Primary school, 7 Secondary school, Advice & Support, Educational, and Get in shape.