Families get help for healthier living
What were the barriers to healthy lifestyles?
Sourcing healthy food on a budget was difficult for parents.
“…I really struggle with being able to get fresh food for my kids. Especially things like fresh meat. I come here to the foodbank, and I want to get chicken and meat and sometimes they have it, sometimes not. Even when I get it, with 3 children it doesn’t last the week.” — Parent at community pantry
This was more difficult for families with picky eaters, as they did not have the budget to try new healthy foods.
Parents also said there were barriers around affordability for activities, especially for children with additional needs.
“I live in a flat with no garden, so you basically have to plan a day out in order to take your children out, and when it's wintertime it's really difficult. I don't really want them to be sitting in front of the TV all day.” — Parent at toddler group
Other concerns included managing sleep and screen time and children’s body image.
What would help people live more healthily?
Healthwatch Hampshire made recommendations for the Council based on what parents had told them.
To help people eat better, they suggested the council offer:
- In-person cooking sessions where parents could cook low-cost, healthy food with their children.
- Ideas for low-cost meals, portion sizing, and help with trying new foods.
- Targeted support for picky eating among children.
- Activity or youth club sessions that involve preparing and eating healthy food. This would save families money, and communal eating could encourage children to try new foods and improve their social skills at mealtimes.
Recommendations for things that would help people stay active included:
- Improving access to after-school activities.
- Free outdoor family activities to get children away from screens.
- Vouchers or discounts on council leisure centre activities, particularly for swimming lessons.
- Activities accessible by public transport, with support offered to travel to sessions.
What support is Hampshire County Council planning?
Following this project, Hampshire County Council is developing Food Labs – sessions run by community settings such as pantries and schools for families to explore, cook, and eat new food together for free.
This will include training on picky eating for a wide range of professionals and volunteers working with families, to give them the skills to help with these issues.
The Council will also provide resources for families to use at home, including sensory activities, recipes, and menu plans for picky eaters, that reduce cost and food waste.
The Council has also introduced a “movement for all” programme. This aims to increase children’s participation in school-based and extracurricular physical activity and Physical Education by focusing on movement and inclusion as well as traditional sports and activities.
Its focus is transforming the school culture by training staff to provide more inclusive opportunities for all children to be active, especially those with additional needs.
What’s next?
Healthwatch Hampshire’s work has helped the council better understand local families’ needs. As the programmes develop, they hope to share the impact of this project with the families that took part.
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