MEND
Do you have children aged between 7-13 who are above their ideal weight? Or do you work with families that would benefit from a healthy lifestyle programme?
Would you like to help them improve their health, well-being and fitness? Then we have a family-based programme that could help....
(M)ind, (E)xercise, (N)utrition……(D)o it!
The MEND Programme, ran through a partnership between Sefton Council and Sefton NHS, is a FREE, fun, 10-week healthy lifestyle course for children and their families. It combines all elements known to be vital for a healthy lifestyle, including family involvement, practical education in nutrition, increasing physical activity and behavioural change.
Since MEND began in May 2007, every person that has been through the programme has shown fantastic results, with them feeling:
- Fitter and stronger
- More confident, with improved self-esteem
- Happier, with improved behaviour
- Healthier - with better eating habits, essential for optimal growth and development
MEND is not a diet fad but focuses on building the foundations necessary to live a healthy lifestyle and to lose weight naturally. Although weight loss is not the primary aim of the programme, both adults and children have shown very encouraging and sensible weight loss results.
The 10-week programme comprises of 2, 2-hour after school sessions per week. Geared towards the children, the first hour focuses on good nutrition and behaviour change, followed by 1-hour of fun land or water-based exercise for the children. Parents or carers accompany the children to every session so that messages are passed on throughout the family.
The Programme is available at:
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Dunes Splash World, Southport
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Litherland Sports Park
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Maghull Town Hall
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Bootle Leisure Centre
Once families have finished the programme, they will make the transition on to activities such as Active Kidz, Free and Active, Active Sports Unlimited or Sport Clubs, to continue a healthy lifestyle long term. Alternative, families can be referred onto the Active Lifestyles exercise referral programme, which also includes additional weight management programmes for the adults.
Registering couldn't be simpler....Just call the Active Lifestyles Team direct on 0151 934 2352 or for more information and self-registration log on to www.mendprogramme.org and register onto your nearest programme.
