West Midlands pupils celebrate their healthy lifestyles

Primary school children from across the region have come together to celebrate their commitment to a healthy lifestyle, as part of the Health for Life initiative.

Pupils and teachers currently involved in the Health for Life programme, met at St. Andrew’s Stadium to showcase the exciting and creative range of activities, around growing food, healthy eating and exercise, which they have now incorporated into school life as a result of taking part in the initiative.

Students at Boldmere Junior School put their new culinary skills into practice by creating vegetable wraps, which included homemade guacamole and salsa dips, for other students and staff to enjoy whilst St Francis Catholic Primary School offered a taste of their healthy, homemade style pot noodle.

Other pupils brought along examples of the fruit, vegetables and herbs they have grown at school, and some were keen to show off their physical activity favourites such as hula hooping and skipping.

A smoothie bike was available for children to try out, pedaling and generating power to blend a healthy mixed berry smoothie. Pupils also received a set of ‘It's Fun to be Active’ books as a keepsake from Health for Life for their school libraries.

The Health for Life scheme supports activities that engage pupils, school staff and families in growing food, healthy eating and cookery and physical activity, enabling schools to make a wide range of sustainable changes – some of which have included opportunities for the whole family to get involved.

The initiative is funded by Mondelēz International and delivered in partnership with Services For Education and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV). Since its launch in 2011, Health for Life has engaged 203 schools and reached more than 230,000 children and adults in Birmingham. The next cohort of primary schools has been recruited to join the programme in September.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, commented: “It’s been fantastic to see pupils showcase their passion for healthy eating, cooking and growing in their own creative way. To hear how much the children have enjoyed taking part in the Health for Life scheme is wonderful, and we’re extremely proud that the programme continues to inspire pupils, teachers and parents to develop and sustain a healthy lifestyle.”

Helen Grundy, Health for Life programme manager at Services For Education said: “Events such as these bring our school community together, and it’s

brilliant to be able to highlight and share their wide-ranging achievements and for the children to exchange healthy living ideas with each other. We’re incredibly proud of all those who have taken part in the initiative.”

For more information about the work carried out by Health for Life in schools, please visit https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk/health-for-life/


About Health for Life

• Health for Life is an evidence-based programme supporting children and adults in Birmingham to live healthier lifestyles by engaging people in growing food, physical activity, healthy eating and cookery.
  
• Health for Life is funded by Mondelēz International, with an investment £4.6 million to date, and delivered in schools by Services For Education and in the community by The Conservation Volunteers.
• Now in its eleventh year, the programme has engaged 203 Birmingham schools comprising 158 primary, 27 nursery and 18 secondary schools benefitting 70,000 pupils. It has also reached more than 161,000 adults in the city including teachers, parents and community members.
• Around 1,200 Mondelēz International employee volunteers have given practical support to programme schools and community