The purpose of the Fun, Food & Fitness programme is to promote health and well-being amongst under 12s in Merthyr Tydfil and to equip children with the knowledge, skills and patterns of behaviour which will set them up for a healthier life. We will do this by working in 4 specific areas within the borough of Merthyr Tydfil, with partner organisations, to deliver a series of activities and festivals to raise awareness and provide opportunities to local residents over the 3 year period.

An important element of the programme is our monitoring and evaluation processes, which will help us to track current awareness, attitude and life pattern choices regarding food and exercise in the under 12s. Our monitoring will enable us to analyse whether the programme is supporting children to lead healthier lifestyles, to analyse what works and what doesn’t and help us to make changes to the programme.

The Fun, Food and Fitness Programme will operate in Merthyr Tydfil, focusing on wards experiencing high levels of deprivation, namely; Cyfarftha, Aberfan and Merthyr Vale, Taff Bargoed and Dowlais. The project will deliver a series of festivals and organised activities aimed at under 12’s, and their families and neighbours. These events all aim to promote sustained healthy eating, to increase levels of physical exercise and to inspire a love of gardening and horticulture.

In each area, the Community Food programme will work with the local primary school to provide support in raising awareness of the nutritional value of food, introduce children to a great variety of different fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains, and teach a variety of cooking methods.

The community food programme will also work alongside existing clubs and groups to introduce an awareness of the nutritional value of food, how to prepare food and food tasting and cooking sessions. The Catering Tutor will work with toddler groups, youth clubs and so forth, to introduce new ways of working and values into their appreciation of food.

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The Active lifestyles programme will work with the local Primary school to provide support in introducing additional and new sporting activities to the children. The three-year programme will support the school to promote health and well-being, active lifestyles and walk to school programmes.

In each area, the Active Lifestyles Officer will also work with existing groups and organisations to augment their provision of sporting activities. The Officer and support workers will provide opportunities for children under 12 to take part in a variety of new activities, such as fun runs, cycling days, skate boarding displays, dance class and so forth.

The Grow it Green programme will also work with the local Primary school to develop allotments, green gym and gardening clubs in the school. The three-year programme will support the school to create kitchen gardens growing fruit and vegetables to promote health and well-being and enjoyment of gardening.

In each area, the Grow it Green Officer will also work with existing groups to develop wider involvement in the gardens and allotments scheme at the school. In the evenings, with support from volunteers, family and neighbours, the Officer will open the allotments to the community to provide opportunities for children to take part in growing, digging, planting, weeding and composting.

Our project aims to equip children and their families with the skills, understanding and passion for healthy eating, regular exercise and enjoyment of the natural environment that will inform behaviour and lifestyle choices for the rest of their lives!

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