Families from across Nottingham are being invited to free holiday lunch clubs throughout August.
The lunch clubs will take place in six areas of the city and will include healthy cooking tips and lifestyle activities for parents, with games and activities for children.
Suitable for families with children aged four years and older, these holiday lunch clubs will provide a fun environment followed by a free healthy meal for everyone. Families can attend up to eight sessions over the summer holidays, although booking is advised.
The clubs are being run by community healthcare provider, Nottingham CityCare Partnership, on behalf of the National Charity Partnership, a partnership between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation and Tesco.
Vicki Watson, specialist public health dietitian at CityCare and organiser of the Nottingham Holiday Lunch Clubs, said: “There are lots of parents across Nottingham that want their children to eat more healthily but may struggle to make that lifestyle change. These holiday lunch clubs are perfect for families to make cooking together fun and learning how to make small yet achievable changes towards a healthier lifestyle.
“These holiday lunch clubs follow a successful pilot that we ran over the Easter holidays. We had lots of positive feedback so it’s brilliant that Nottingham has been chosen to run this next programme of clubs.”
Katherine Hale, prevention programme manager for the National Charity Partnership, commented: “Healthy eating plays an important role in our long-term health, but we know that not everyone finds it easy. However, enjoying a healthier diet doesn’t have to be difficult or involve big changes and our holiday lunch clubs aim to support families to make small, but important, changes to their habits.
“We were delighted by how successful the Nottingham lunch clubs were earlier this year and hope even more families will join in this summer.”
Nottingham has been chosen as one of six areas in the UK to deliver the National Charity Partnership’s Holiday Lunch Club programme as part of ‘Let’s Do This’, its campaign to inspire people to eat better and get active to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease.
The holiday lunch clubs will be taking place in six venues in the city including: Phoenix Adventure Playground in Broxtowe; Bulwell Academy; Green Lane Youth Centre in Clifton; Southglade Access Centre in Bestwood; The Ridge Youth Centre in Top Valley; and Playworks in St Ann’s.
There are limited crèche places available at selected venues for younger siblings on a first come first served basis and must be booked in advance.
The half day sessions are available to book and spaces are filling up fast. To book your place or to find out more information call 0115 883 4291 or 07811 485 245 or email nutrition@nottinghamcitycare.nhs.uk
