Live it Programme Helps Kids to Grow Up Healthier, Happier and More Active

Wed 12 Jul 2017

Derby County mascot Rammie made a suprise visit to the Derby County Community Trust’s Live It sessions recently.

The Live It programme looks to help children grow up to be healthy and active through multi-sport sessions and nutritional workshops to educate families on sugar content and what makes up a healthy meal.

Children at the sessions had been writing up healthy meal plans over the previous weeks, Rammie’s role was to get involved and present awards to awards to those with the best plans.

The sessions are free of charge and run on a weekly basis at Merrill Academy and at Willows Sports Centre for children aged 5-11 and their families.

 Having grown more and more over the previous year, The Live It programme is beginning to make a real difference in the lives of young people across Derby. Close to 150 children have accessed the sessions with 70% reducing their sedentary behaviour, 60% improving their diet by eating their five a day and 70% reporting that their emotional health had improved as part of the programme.

As well as being beneficial to their health, the sessions have also proved to be really enjoyable to the children taking part. One child said:

“I like how there are loads of other kids involved that like getting involved in all the sports. I’ve made loads of new friends plus I like all the coaches that come along to the sessions.”

The sessions aren’t just aimed at the young participants, but their parents as well, one parent said:

 “The whole family has definitely benefitted as part of the programme. We now do the weekly shop together and following the nutritional advice from the sessions. Unhealthy snacks are now off the menu!”

 When asked on what they would say to people just starting the programme, one parent said:

“Go along with it, I have seen people who put things on Facebook when they get a letter saying that their child is overweight. You just need to understand that this programme Is here to help and not to criticise anyone.

 “It’s a free programme which stops them from just coming home and putting the telly on, so you should at least come along and have a go at it, if you’re child doesn’t enjoy it then you haven’t lost anything. They’re only going to benefit from it.”