Diet and lifestyle

NHS Change4Life is here to help you and your family eat better and move more.

For more information: Healthier Families - Home - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

To be populated 

What happens in childhood has lifelong effects on our health and wellbeing. HENRY supports families to provide the best possible start in life for babies and children.

At HENRY we are passionate about babies and children getting the best possible start in life. This means supporting the whole family to make positive lifestyle changes, creating healthier and happier home environments, and building healthier communities.

Over the past 12 years we have supported thousands of families to transform family life for the better in all sorts of ways – including improved nutrition, emotional wellbeing, parenting skills, breastfeeding, and getting more active. We have worked with over 15,000 health and early years practitioners and collaborated with NHS trusts, local authorities, and many other partners.

Laying the foundations for a brighter future
What happens in childhood has a profound bearing on life chances and on physical and emotional health throughout childhood and beyond. Parents want the best for their children, but it isn’t always easy for parents to know what ‘best’ is, or to change entrenched family habits to provide a healthier home environment.

HENRY provides a wide range of support for families from pregnancy to age 12 including workshops, programmes, resources and online help. All of our support for families is underpinned by the HENRY approach to supporting behaviour change which helps parents gain the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to help the whole family adopt a healthier, happier lifestyle and to give their children a great start in life.

We also work with health, early years, and family support practitioners, helping them develop the skills to support families make real and lasting changes that will help the whole family have a brighter future.

Our focus
We view ‘a healthy start’ in its broadest possible sense, adopting a holistic approach that focuses on the things that have a real impact in later life. This includes supporting breastfeeding, improving nutrition, emotional wellbeing, parenting skills, healthy nutrition, oral health and a more active lifestyle. By focusing on these elements we can reduce the risk of tooth decay, obesity and associated diseases (such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease), as well as improve school readiness and future life chances.

What is consistent across all the issues we address is the way we work with families – working in partnership with parents as they are the experts on their own lives and families. We never tell families what to do – no one likes to be told, and telling simply doesn’t work. Instead, we support parents to identify the things they are doing well and the things they would like to change, helping them build on strengths and decide on their own strategies to achieve their goals.

For more information: Homepage | HENRY

From guided walks to nature talks, workshops and art exhibitions to archaeological digs and open-air theatre, our events are some of the best ways to discover the fantastic history, wildlife and stories of the many green spaces across London and beyond.

Green spaces - City of London

Offering a wide range of outdoor pursuits, pastimes and sports to suit all ages and interests in:

We are the one of the largest Scout Groups in North London with over 100 members. The group was founded in 1908 and is the only group within the boundaries of the City of London.

We are currently based near Aldgate and we welcome boys and girls of any faith aged between 6 and 18 into the group. This website provides additional information for prospective members, youth members, leaders, parents and supporters of the group.

For more information: 1st City of London Scout Group (cityoflondonscouts.org.uk)

The Food - a fact of life Roadmaps are a visual guide to food and nutrition education from 3 -16 years and are a way of representing what pupils should learn and the sequence. They are available as downloadable versions to be printed or interactive versions.

For more information, please visit: Food - a fact of life Roadmaps - Food A Fact Of Life

We've got some fantastic facilities on offer to stay fit and active in the heart of the Barbican, City of London. Including swimming, all the latest gym & fitness equipment, tennis courts and an extensive programme of group exercise classes and such as yoga and pilates.

Explore all our activities on offer in the "Activites" section and see all of our great facilities in the "Discover" section.

Golden Lane Sport & Fitness is brought to you by Fusion, a highly experienced sports and leisure organisation. As a registered charity, Fusion reinvests to improve and develop what´s on offer in your community. Check out our Facebook page for instant updates, news and offers from your centre!

For more information: Golden Lane Leisure Centre - Group Exercise | Swimming Pool | Gym - Fusion Lifestyle (fusion-lifestyle.com)

From the beginning the Islington Boat Club has been devoted to giving Islington youth access to nature and water sports in the City Road Basin and beyond. We encourage all Islington youth to come join our club where you can make new friends, learn new skills and enjoy the outdoor activities that the boat club has been providing for more than 52 years.

The Youth Club is a programme where almost 500 registered members aged 8-17 can engage in outdoor activities such as:

kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), narrowboating, bellboating and Power Boating.

Our friendly staff are on hand to teach you and answer any questions.

For more information: Youth Club | Islington Boat Club

We are thrilled to announce the grand reopening of our Old Street Spa, featuring rejuvenating saunas, invigorating steam rooms and a refreshing plunge pool.

Dive into luxury in our 30.5-metre swimming pool or embrace the intensity of our learner pool. Our multi-functional gym caters to all fitness levels, while our versatile studio and squash courts provide a dynamic range of activities. 

At Ironmonger Row Baths, we pride ourselves on blending history with contemporary amenities, creating a space where tradition meets innovation for an unparalleled wellness experience. Welcome to a haven where the past and present unite to redefine your journey towards well-being.

Ironmonger Row Baths | Old Street Gym, Swimming Pool & Spa | Better

For information about things to do in and around the City of London, including free activities, events and opportunities, see the 'What's On' section on the Family Information Service (FIS) website:

What's On - City of London Family Information Service

It’s important for your mental and physical wellbeing to keep active. And just ten minutes a day can help with conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve balance.

This spring, the City Corporation is encouraging all residents to get active as a family and create unforgettable memories in the City. The idea is to take Small Steps to be active, your way, everyday.

Aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise that makes you feel warmer, breathe harder, and makes your heart beat faster. On two days a week, do something that works your muscles such as yoga, exercise with weights, or carrying heavy shopping.

Why not explore our parks, playgrounds and sport facilities during the weekends and after school/work?

There are plenty of things to do in the Square Mile:

Are you aged 50+ and keen to improve your health and fitness, while having fun? If so, the Young at Heart programme is for you. Young at Heart is open to City residents and non-residents alike.

Join today

By joining the Young at Heart programme you receive:

  • access to a wide range of activities and classes
  • a free health check four times per year
  • a Young at Heart membership card
  • a weekly timetable of activities and walks programme
  • information on healthy living
  • a stretch exercise band and exercise guide, and a pedometer counter (step counter)
  • details of all the latest events, activities and opportunities detailed in a quarterly newsletter

In addition, membership also gives you:

  • concessions on selected Adult Learning courses in the Learning in the City programme
  • access to the Golden Lane Sport & Fitness facilities for £1.50 a session during off-peak hours. This allows Young at Heart members the opportunity to take part in additional activities outside of the normal weekly programme

Cost

Annual membership for the Young at Heart programme costs:

  • £25 for City of London residents aged 65+
  • £30 for City of London residents aged under 65
  • £35 for non-City residents aged 65+
  • £40 for non-City residents aged under 65

Sign up now

The Young at Heart programme is run in partnership with Golden Lane Sport & Fitness, where most activities take place. To apply, visit the Golden Lane Sport & Fitness website(external link).

Who are we:
Beat is the UK's leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders and campaigning on their behalf.

Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from these illnesses, many in secret. They are of all ages, genders and backgrounds – eating disorders do not discriminate.

Eating disorders include bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and anorexia.

What we do:
Our national Helpline exists to encourage and empower people to get help quickly, because we know the sooner someone starts treatment, the greater their chance of recovery. People can contact us online or by phone 365 days a year. We listen to them, help them to understand the illness, and support them to take positive steps towards recovery.

We also support family and friends, equipping them with essential skills and advice, so they can help their loved ones recover whilst also looking after their own mental health.

We campaign to increase knowledge among healthcare and other relevant professionals, and for better funding for high-quality treatment, so that when people are brave enough to take vital steps towards recovery, the right help is available to them.

Helplines:
Our Helpline is open 365 days a year from 9am – midnight during the week, and 4pm–midnight on weekends and bank holidays.

Helpline: 0808 801 0677

Resources:
Free downloads and resources, from self-help guides to GP forms.

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/downloads-resources/

Peer support and online development:
Our online carer community provides people supporting someone with an eating disorder with a space to learn share and find support through workshops, courses and forums.

Tel: 0808 801 0677 (Helpline)
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Website: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

The East London Community Eating Disorders Service for Children and Young People (CEDS-CYP) is a specialist CAMHS service for young people up to the age of 18 who are experiencing an eating disorder.

It is part of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and covers Newham, Tower Hamlets and City & Hackney.

The service offers high-quality, evidence-based assessment and treatment for children, young people and their families. It is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of:

  • Dietician: Offers advice about food choices and lifestyle
  • Consultant Psychiatrist: A senior doctor who has overall responsibility for your care
  • Therapists: Talk to you to help make sense of your difficulties and develop positive skills
  • Family Therapists: Offers your family a supportive space to talk about their experience
  • Paediatrician: A type of doctor who specialises in the health and wellbeing of young people.

For more information: CAMHS Community Eating Disorder Service (East London) | East London NHS Foundation Trust (elft.nhs.uk)