Bradford and Airedale healthy living unit scoops top award (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

NHS Bradford and Airedale’s public health Options team's Mind, Exercise, Nutrition ... Do it! programme wins award

11:00am Tuesday 21st June 2011 in Health News By Claire Lomax

A local healthy lifestyle team has won an award for its work in helping local families in Bradford and Airedale become healthier and more active.

NHS Bradford and Airedale’s public health Options team was recognised for its outstanding work delivering Mind, Exercise, Nutrition ... Do it! (Mend) programmes to local families.

The Mend programme is a free ten-week healthy lifestyle course that provides families with information about healthy eating and how to keep themselves active.

The Options team was presented with £250 at the Mend Best Practice Awards ceremony held in London this month.

Since January 2009, 15 programmes have run in Bradford and Airedale, and 180 children and their families have benefited so far.

The programmes for seven to 13-year-olds are free to families and have been developed in partnership with child health experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health.

Funded by NHS Bradford and Airedale, children who attend the programme increase their fitness levels, reduce their body mass index and get a boost in self-esteem.

Mend chief executive Harry MacMillan said: “We’re delighted to recognise the Options team for their commitment to helping local families become fitter, healthier and happier.

“The team who deliver Mend’s healthy lifestyle programmes in Bradford and Airedale are passionate about improving the health and lives of young people and their families.”

Accepting the award on behalf of the team, programme manager Martin Earnshaw said: “Supporting families to get fit and healthy and achieve a healthier weight is a priority for our team and we’re thrilled to have our work recognised and to receive such a prestigious award. “The key to our success is that we make the programmes fun and supportive while also being informative.”

To find out more about Mend or register for one of the free healthy lifestyle programmes call 0800 230 0263 or go to mendcentral.org.

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