MEND: mind, exercise, nutrition, do it

What is MEND?

MEND (mind, exercise, nutrition, do it) is an award winning free, fun and friendly programme specially designed to help families get fitter, healthier and happier.

MEND stands for:

• Mind - understanding and changing unhealthy attitudes and behaviours around food.
• Exercise - adequate, safe and fun exercise.
• Nutrition - enjoyable, practical activities teaching healthy eating and food choices to improve the whole family's diet.
• Do it - get involved.

Download the MEND brochure (pdf, 1.9 MB) to read about its benefits, supporters and participants.

Is the programme right for my child?

MEND is an effective ten week programme that uses techniques developed by health experts. The programme helps children who are above their ideal weight to learn about food and discover fun ways to get fit.

This programme could be for you.

• If your child is aged 7 to 13 years
• If you can attend two sessions a week for ten weeks, children must be accompanied to each session.
• If you would like to learn more about eating healthily and being more active and would like to meet other families.

We will check whether your child qualifies based on their age, weight and height. You can also see where your child fits by following this link: your weight and BMI - you will need to input your child’s height, weight, age and gender. You can also speak to your GP or school nurse.

How much does it cost?

The programme is free. Funding from Bristol City Council, NHS Bristol and MEND Central, and partnership working with Sports and Leisure Management Charitable Trust enables us to provide free places.

What do you do on the MEND programme?

When you attend the MEND programme, you will learn:

• How to make healthier food choices and eat nutritious meals
• How to read food labels and what they mean
• Is too much sugar bad for us?
• How to eat to maintain a healthy weight
• How to still eat our favourite foods but in a healthier way
• and much more...

Each session lasts two hours. There is a one hour physical activity session either in the sports hall or swimming pool where children have lots of fun playing games and relays and gaining confidence. Adults have their own discussion session to share advice and discuss any issues they may be experiencing. The other hour is a healthy eating workshop for both adults and children. We also have a supermarket tour, a fabulous food fest and an interactive quiz.

Watch this video to find out more about what we do on the MEND Programme.

To find out more about our programme download the programme overview (pdf, 495 KB).

The MEND programme is run and supervised by qualified MEND leaders who are CRB checked.

When is the next MEND Programme?

Central:
Easton Leisure Centre, Thrissell Street, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0SW
Programme starts Thursday, 10 May 2012 - Thursday 19 July 2012 and will be running on Mondays 6pm-8pm and Thursdays 6.15pm-8.15pm. Please register to confirm your place on the programme.

North:
No programme currently scheduled.

South:
For information about healthy lifestyle programmes running in South Bristol, please call 0117 922 4719.

MEND is a ten-week programme that runs each school term.

Posters and flyers for each programme can be obtained by contacting the Mend Programme.

How do I register for MEND?

Call the MEND team to see whether your child qualifies and to register or complete the online form.

Once you have submitted your online form we will call you back between Monday and Friday 9am to 5pm.

Alternatively you can print off the sign up by post form (pdf, 134 KB). Complete the form and post to the MEND Programme.

How can I get involved in helping at MEND programmes?

If you are interested in volunteering as a programme assistant, can commit to a whole ten-week programme and have a background in fitness and/or nutrition we would be very pleased to hear from you. Please email your CV to us.

There are MEND programmes running at various places across the country, locally and in:

• Bath and North East Somerset
• North Somerset

Visit www.mendprogramme.org or telephone MEND central on 020 7231 7225 for further details.