A new MEND course has started in Norfolk, encouraging children and their families to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do-it) is a free service for 7 to 13-year-olds which is funded by NHS Norfolk, and delivered by Football in the Community. (FITC)

It is being held Cromer Junior School for two hours each Wednesday evening. Each session consists of an hour covering nutrition followed by an hour of fun-based exercise. A parent or guardian must attend with the child, and courses must be pre-booked.

MEND is also being held at Attleborough Junior School every Monday evening. Planning is underway to take it to other venues throughout Norfolk.

Toby Nickerson, MEND Co-ordinator at Football In The Community, said: “Children and their families are able to learn about exercise and nutrition which in turn helps to build their confidence and self-esteem. The MEND programme is designed to aid changes that help make an incredible difference to children’s and their families’ lives. It’s great to see the children grow in confidence throughout the ten weeks of the course.”

“We are really keen for more children from the Attleborough and Cromer area to the forthcoming sessions. However, we will be looking to run more MEND programmes as the year progresses at venues in King’s Lynn, Norwich, Thetford and Wymondham among others.”

The MEND programme is the UK’s largest healthy lifestyle programme for children and their parents or carers. It aims to support children and families who would like to attend a more specialised weight management programme.

Toby said: “This free programme has a family-centred approach and is a great way of getting everybody eating healthier and being more active together.

“We can’t do this without the support of parents. They have found the sessions a great way of spending time with their children, learning new games and ways that all the family can become healthier in general. Parents who have been involved in the sessions have also seen a reduction in their weight and waist circumference, which we know is a really important factor in maintaining health and extending the life expectancy of the whole family.”

Toby has recently been appointed as FITC/NHS Norfolk MEND co-ordinator. He will plan, prepare, recruit and deliver all MEND programmes in NHS Norfolk’s area.

He worked part-time for FITC whilst studying for a degree in sports and exercise science at Northampton University. He has been with FITC full time for three years, starting work originally as a community coach delivering activities from school games lessons, after-school clubs and soccer schools, to progressing into his new role as FITC/NHS Norfolk MEND Co-ordinator.

Hannah Critten, NHS Norfolk’s Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives Co-ordinator said: “MEND is an enjoyable way for children to get more active, learn about eating well and build confidence in order to support positive behaviour change. It also gives them the opportunity to have fun with their families too.

“Research shows there are more than 55,000 overweight children in Norfolk. Children who are overweight are more likely to continue to be overweight as adults – which then puts them at risk of conditions including diabetes and heart disease.

“Toby’s appointment shows the importance that NHS Norfolk and FITC place on the MEND courses, and we would encourage everyone to take part.”

To sign up for MEND call Toby on 01603 761122,
email [email protected], or visit www.fitc.org.uk