Colne toddler groups – don't miss out on healthy eating funding

Pendle Council is encouraging anyone who runs a local toddler groups In Colne to get in touch to claim up to £60 to help pay for healthy snacks.

It's all part of a drive to encourage healthy eating amongst the under fives and is being funded by Colne Connected.

This initiative will support local toddler groups to start or continue to provide nutritious, vitamin rich fruit and vegetables at snack time.

To qualify, groups must operate in the Colne area and agree to buy their group snacks from a Colne shop registered with the Government's Healthy Start scheme.

They will also be asked to hand out leaflets about the Healthy Start scheme to parents at their groups.

This is where people qualifying families who are either pregnant or have children under the age of four can claim £3.10 a week in vouchers per child to spend on fresh fruit, vegetables and milk. 

And many local people are missing out because they don't know they qualify.

Anjanette Stokes, NHS East Lancashire's, Neighbourhood Health Worker, explained:

"We're trying to spread the message far and wide that people may be missing out on free Healthy Start vouchers.

"As a parent or carer, you're often bombarded with information that you put to one side to deal with later.

"But we're finding that people are not coming forward to claim what they're entitled to.

"We hope that by supporting groups to provide healthy snacks times at toddler groups, it will be a reminder for parents to check to see if they're eligible."

Councillor Gary Bird, Pendle Council's Health Champion, said:

"This is a brilliant initiative and I urge as many toddler groups in the area to get involved.

"It won't cost you anything, and it will help go some way in improving the health of our future generations."

If you are interested please contact Anjanette Stokes on 01282 861440 / 075950 87365 or email anjanette.stokes@pendle.gov.uk

All applications must be made before the end of February 2010.

Due to limited funds, not all applications may be successful.

To find out more about Healthy Start and registered local retailers, speak to your midwife, health visitor or children's centre, or visit http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/