Healthier Futures including HENRY programmes

Would you like to feel more confident as a parent? Are you keen to get help to give your child a healthy start in life, help them to eat more fruit and vegetables and reduce mealtime stress?

If so, then our new Healthier Futures programme could be for you.

It's a free, healthy families programe that offers a range of support for parents and carers of children aged 12 years old and under. The programme includes online and face-to-face sessions.

Children's early years are vitally important in terms of their health, wellbeing, learning and social development.

Our team of friendly staff know how difficult it can be to change old habits and we will be with you every step of the way.

Who can take part

You can take part in a variety of Healthier Futures programmes if you have a Derbyshire postcode or are registered with a Derbyshire GP.

Depending on the service you want to take part in, eligibility differs:

  • Heathy Families Right from the Start: You have a child aged 5 years or under
  • Healthy Families Growing Up Programme: You have a child who is aged between 5 and 12 years old and is over a healthy weight, or you would like support with creating happier, healthier meal times and increase parenting confidence

How to take part

If you are a professional who works with children you can refer families into the Live Life Better Derbyshire Healthier Futures family lifestyles offer.

If you are an eligible parent or carer, you can sign up using our online form.

What our service offers

Healthier Futures includes a range of free HENRY programmes.

On our popular 8 week programmes you’ll meet other parents and carers in a fun weekly group and learn how to make lasting healthy changes together.

Healthy Families: Right from the Start 

This is for parents and carers of children aged 5 years old and under.

  • Find a balance in meeting families and children's needs
  • Create happier and healthier mealtimes
  • Introduce ideas for active play

Healthy Families: Growing Up programme

This is for parents and carers of children aged five to 12-years-old. The programme helps to build healthier habits for the family:

  • Food portions
  • Being active as a family
  • Healthy swaps and family mealtimes

Please note that your child's height and weight will be requested at 26 weeks and 52 weeks in addition to their starting measurements.

Ongoing monthly support is alaso available for up to 52 weeks when you take part in one of our 8-week programmes.

One-off sessions

The service also offers one-off sessions, for example Healthy Eating on a Budget. These are ideal if you are short on time, or you'd like to try a taster session before committing further.

There are several courses to choose from, so please take a look at the information on this page and see which one is right for you and your family.

The sessions we currently offer are:

Healthy Eating Basics on a Budget

One-off session: A one-and-a-half-hour online session with lots of tips for healthy eating on a budget.

Top Tips for Making Healthier Changes

A one-and-a-half-hour online session for parents and carers of children aged 12 years and under.

Talking about Body Image and Weight with your Child

One-off session: A one-and-a-half-hour online workshop to help parents build their children's confidence. For parents of children aged 5 to 12 years old.

Picky Eaters

One-off session. A one-and-a-half-hour online session: This is a workshop to help parents who want to encourage their child to have a more varied diet. For parents and carers of children aged 8 to 12 years.

Fussy Eating online workshop

This is a one-and-a-half-hour online session for parents and carers of children aged 1 to 7-years-old who would like to encourage their child to have a more varied diet.

The session will help you:

  • create a relaxed mealtime
  • think of ideas to introduce new foods
  • be aware of hunger and fullness cues
  • be aware of suitable portion sizes

Further support

We have more information, help and guidance around healthy lifestyles for parents, carers and families.

NHS Better Health, Healthier Families

The NHS Better Health, Healthier Families service offers a wide range of advice and support. Visit the website, and take a short quiz.

Oral health

You can find out about how to keep your child's teeth and gums healthy with our oral health support.

The NHS Food Scanner App

Download the FREE NHS Food Scanner app to see how much sugar, salt and saturated fat are in your favourite food and drinks, and to find healthier swaps.

Be sugar smart

Kids are having over double the amount of sugar than they should. Too much sugar is bad for teeth and can lead to weight gain.

But don’t worry, Healthier Families (NHS) have some simple swaps to help you be sugar smart and cut back.