NHS Blackburn with Darwen is looking for 12 families to take part in a new pilot health programme.
The GOALS (Getting Our Active Lifestyles Started) programme is designed to support children who are overweight and their families into a healthier lifestyle.
The pilot is set to run at Pleckgate High School, Pleckgate Rd, Blackburn every Thursday from March 3 at 5.30pm-7.30pm.
It will run for 18-weeks and is aimed at families with children aged 8-12.
The programme includes components in healthy eating, physical activity and behaviour change/goal setting and will be delivered by LA Health & Fitness Family workers and the Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living team (Dietician and food volunteers).
The weekly practical sessions allow families to make small, realistic changes that can be kept up easily. It is unique in its whole family approach – everything the overweight child does, their parents and siblings do too.
Everyone plays fun active games together, everyone cooks together and everyone sets themselves gradual targets.
Created by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) in partnership with Liverpool City Council & Liverpool PCT, the programme has run successfully in the city since 2006 where it has helped over 200 families.
Children who have completed the course have become slimmer, more active, achieved healthier diets, increased their confidence and experienced better family relationships.
Dominic Harrison, director of public health for NHS Blackburn with Darwen, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for local families to get involved in a programme which uses small steps in order to make big changes to the health of young people in the borough.
"The results in Liverpool since the programme started there in 2006 speak for themselves and I very much hope we can have similar successes in Blackburn with Darwen.
"I encourage any families who want to improve the health of their children to sign up to take part in the programme."
Paula Watson, GOALS Project Manager and Principal Researcher, added: "I think that the key to the success of GOALS is a combination of effective mentoring, strong, on-going support and ultimately the sessions are always fun and rewarding for the children and their families."
If you’re interested in taking part please call Victoria McCoy before Friday February 17 on (01254) 682053 or e-mail: victoria.mccoy@blackburn.gov.uk
