MEND (Mind, exercise, nutrition... Do it!) is a free community based programme that delivers healthy lifestyle information and encourages physical activity for all families across Medway. It is delivered by highly trained lifestyle specialists employed by the Supporting Healthy Weight Team in the Public Health Directorate.
In Medway there are 3 types of MEND programmes available; MEND 2-4, MEND 5-7 and MEND 7-13.
Watch this video about MEND 7-13.
MEND 2-4 is a healthy lifestyle programme for all children aged 2 to 4 and their parents and carers. It involves a 90-minute session once a week for ten weeks.
The programme offers friendly advice and tips to shows parents creative ways to get children to taste and enjoy different fruits, vegetables and other healthy snacks through the ‘Snack Time’ element of the programme.
The session is broken down into 45 minutes of group activities where parents and children have fun together, 15 minutes of Snack Time followed by an informal group discussion around the weeks topic whilst the children enjoy crèche-style active play activities.
MEND 5-7 is a healthy lifestyle programme for 5 to 7 year oldsand their families. It involves a 1 hour 45-minute session once a week for ten weeks.
Parents and carers attend with their children to encourage families to be fitter, healthier and happier.
The sessions combine active play, supportive parent discussion groups and workshops to help families maintain a healthier lifestyle. Parent’s will learn about healthy eating as well as beahviour change techniques in order to make small changes.
MEND 5-7 is for families with 5-7 year olds who are above a healthy weight for their age and height (BMI on or above the 91st centile).
MEND 7-13 is a healthy lifestyle programme for 7 to 13 year It involves two 2-hour sessions every week for ten weeks.
The programme is designed to encourage the whole family to be fitter, healthier and happier. In each session, everyone takes part in an hour long interactive workshop where they learn how to choose healthier foods, spend more time being active and how to set suitable goals.
Children spend the second hour taking part in an organised physical activity including group games and challenges, while the parents and carers discuss specific group topics in more detail within a friendly and supportive environment.
When a child graduates from this programme, they can receive further support and information from our MEND Graduates programme which hosts weekly groups and summer activites.
How do I know if my child qualifies for MEND 2-4, 5-7 or 7-13?
Mend 2-4 is open to all families living in Medway with children aged between 2 and 4 years to enjoy.
Mend 5-7 and Mend 7-13 programmes have restricted access and are only available for children living in Medway, who are above a healthy weight for their age and are aged between 5 and 13 years.
When registering it is important to know your child’s height and weight before starting the programme. You can do this at home or ask your GP Surgery or School Nurse. You can find out your child’s BMI by visiting www.mendprogramme.org and using the BMI calculator.
If you are unsure you qualify, please telephone or email us for further support.
What if MEND is not right for me and my family?
If you find MEND is not the right programme for you, Change4Life has loads of small, easy steps you can make to help your family lead a healthier lifestyle.
For more information about keeping healthy and making small visit the Change4Life website www.nhs.uk/change4life and sign up to get your own action plan and Change4life freebies!
There are lots of activities running in Medway throughout the year. You can find out more from www.abettermedway.co.uk or alternatively visit your local leisure centre
What do I need to do if I’m interested in the programme?
For more information about the MEND programme please contact a member of the MEND team on 01634 333 741 or mend@medway.gov.uk and they will be able to tell you when and where the next programmes will be running in Medway.
Testimonals for MEND
"Thank you for the changes that I have been able to make and the new relationship that I have managed to have with my daughter. And I hope that this will help me with my next child and prevent problems I have had in the past"
Parent from Rochester
"We now take part in more physical activity - walk on a weekend around country parks, which allows her more fresh air/running around time. Thoroughly enjoyed the course - thank you!"
Parent from Strood
"Mend is a fantastic programme. We now eat together more often and try new foods each week."
Parent from Chatham
"What I Enjoyed most was sharing experiences/ideas and talking to other parents."
Parent from Strood
"We always looked forward to coming and he counted down the hours till he came. My seven year old would always want to talk about everything we had done and his eating habits have changed quite a bit as well. We will miss our sessions. It was great getting the folder and information every week to read through."
Parent from Chatham
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