Helpingyou create ahealthier schoolFree healthy lifestyle programmes for children who are above a healthy weight

MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it!) offers free, fun healthy lifestyle programmes for children who are overweight or obese.

Devised by child health experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the University College London Institute of Child Health, MEND’s 10-week after-school programmes have helped over 30,000 children in the UK become fi tter, healthier and happier.

Independent research shows that the MEND programme helps children lose weight, increase their physical activity levels and self-esteem and reduce sedentary behaviours. Over 90% of children reduce their BMI on the programme.

MEND’s programmes are free to families thanks to funding from the NHS and local authorities.

• Children attend with their parent

or carer

• Based on current scientifi c evidence

and independent research

• Offers a safe and

inclusive environment

• Uses behaviour change strategies

and parenting techniques

• Provides practical strategies to

increase physical activity and

encourage healthy eating

• Delivers results that are shown to

improve social cohesion, cognitive

ability and academic achievement

“MEND’s free healthy lifestyle programmes are a fun and practical way for children to become fi tter and healthier. Seeing the difference it makes to children’s lives is incredible. It really builds their confi dence.”Bruce Fletcher, Head Teacher, Foster’s Primary School, London

healthier school

mendcentral.org info@mendcentral.org0800 230 0263

“I suddenly got loads more energy and I’m now nearly top of the class in PE. I used to dread sports like running as they were really hard for me, but now I love them. MEND changes your whole lifestyle and it’s helped my mum too as she feels more confi dent about what to buy in the supermarket.” Charlie Pepperrell, aged 11

• 1 in 4 children in Reception are

overweight or obese

• This rises to 1 in 3 in Year 6

• Overweight children are at a greater

risk of developing chronic diseases

such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood

pressure and some types of cancer

• They are also more susceptible

to psychological disorders such

as low self-esteem which can lead

to lowered academic achievement

MEND can help your school meet its targets

• Supports the fi ve Every Child Matters (ECM) outcomes

• Meets all NICE guidance for the treatment of child obesity

• Aligns with the government’s strategy on obesity ‘Healthy lives, healthy people’

• Provides a referral pathway from the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP)

• Engages hard to reach communities• Supports the Department for Education’s

‘PE and Sport Strategy for Young People’

Use our BMI calculator atmendcentral.org/BMIcalculator

Find out where your nearestMEND programme is running atmendcentral.org/fi ndprogramme

What programmes are available?

ProgrammeWho can attend? Duration Content

MEND 7-13 For 7-13 year olds who are above a healthy weight for their age and height, and their parent or carer

Twice a week for ten weeks (1-2 hours per session)

Age-appropriate healthy eating, physical activity and behaviour change strategies

MEND 5-7 For 5-7 year olds who are above a healthy weight for their age and height, and their parent of carer

Once a week for ten weeks (One hour 45 minutes per session)

Age-appropriate healthy eating, active play and behaviour change strategies

MEND 2-4 Open to all 2-4 year olds irrespective of weight. Targeted at families who are at risk of gaining weight

Once a week for ten weeks (One hour 30 minutes per session)

Age-appropriate healthy eating, active play and behaviour change strategies

mendcentral.org info@mendcentral.org0800 230 0263

MEND supports the Every Child Matters agenda

The Every Child Matters agenda emphasises that being healthy is essential if children and young people are to get the best out of life and fulfi l their potential.

The table below shows how the MEND programme supports all fi ve of the key criteria.

Every Child Matters outcome

Defi nition of outcome

Welfare requirements to meet outcome

MEND policy overview Evidence

Staying safe Being protected from harm and neglect

Suitable premises, environment and equipment

• Completed risk assessment

• Public liability insurance certifi cate

• Accident forms• Recommended that all

staff have enhanced CRB clearance

• Recommended that staff complete Level 2 child protection course

• Programme manager training

• Theory leader training• Quality assurance

team• Secure online

system for inputting/storing confi dential information

• Sample child protection policy

Being healthy Enjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle

Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare

• Mind sessions• Exercise/activity

sessions• Parent-only sessions• Child-only sessions • Encourages healthy

eating/trying new foods

• Independent research that proves programme helps educate children and families in leading a healthy lifestyle

• Worksheets• MEND World website• Move it! resources• Supermarket tour• Healthy snacks

Enjoying and achieving

Getting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood

Organisation • MEND trained staff• Range of appropriate

activities• Fun resources• Raising awareness/

giving tools to lead a healthier lifestyle

• Letters to parents

• Training days and user-manuals

• Manual kit• Session plans• Questionnaires• Homework challenges

Achieving economic wellbeing

Not being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential in life

Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare

• Free programme• Partnership working

with other agencies

• Equal opportunities policy

• Working with PCTs, leisure providers and local authorities

Making a positive contribution

Being involved with community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour

Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare

• All children and parents/carers are respected

• Goals, rewards and boundaries agreed and set

• Sharing of good practice

• Reward days• Certifi cates for

graduates• Good things about me

poster• Sign-posting to future

activities for graduates (sustainability)

• Feedback

Together we can support your pupils to become fi tter, healthier and happier

We rely on professionals within the local community to sign-post families to the MEND programme. Most of our referrals are from teachers and many schools have developed innovative ways of sign-posting families to MEND. They fi nd that a small investment of their time can have a big impact on their pupils.

What can I do to help?

• Your local MEND programme manager can provide posters and leafl ets in handy class-sized packs. You can support by displaying them in a prominent place that can be seen by both children and parents

• Another option is to distribute MEND’s leafl ets either by placing them in homework bags or handing them to children and parents (perhaps with other literature such as NCMP letters)

• Consider holding an assembly about health and fi tness and tell pupils about the MEND programme

• Try adding some information about MEND at PTA meetings• Show this brochure to your Head Teacher and Head of PE• Consider adding some information about MEND to your newsletter or website.

We will happily provide some text for you

To request posters and fl yers call us on 0800 230 0263 or email info@mendcentral.orgFor more information about MEND go to mendcentral.org

MEND also offers teaching resources for both primary and secondary schools. Find out more at mendcentral.org/teaching

“One of the fi rst children I referred to MEND was so pleased with himself that he invited me to his MEND graduation! I was so glad I was able to play a part. I now make sure all the parents know about MEND.” Hayley Duffy, Two Trees College, Manchester

“MEND was such a supportive environment for me and Abi to learn in. We digested everything over the ten weeks, and managed to take on the new habits and adapt our lifestyle gradually. I think it’s important that the whole family helps Abi to make these changes.” Dawn Scrafi eld, Southend-on-sea

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