Local networks to help children under five years of age and their families to eat healthily and maintain a healthy weight are being set up now across three neighbourhoods in Glasgow.

The two-year ‘Thrive Under 5’ project is an exciting early intervention programme that aims to enable a healthy weight in the early years (pre-five years) using a wider child poverty perspective.  

The project focuses on piloting a whole system, community food nurturing programme with families of pre-school children and will combine work to reduce food insecurity and promote healthy eating and physical activity in three Glasgow neighbourhoods. The selected neighbourhoods include Ruchazie, Garthamlock and Cranhill (North East); Drumchapel (North West); Priesthill, Househillwood, Nitshill and Pollok (South).  

This Scottish Government funded project is being led by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) Public Health and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Health Improvement staff in collaboration with a multi-agency steering group. The project will run over two years and will be evaluated by Glasgow Centre for Population Health. 

Siobhan Boyle, Health Improvement Lead, Glasgow City HSCP said: “We recognise that there are barriers in place, preventing children and their families from eating healthily and maintaining a healthy weight. These barriers include low family income, access to affordable fresh foods and the lack of knowledge/information to cook using fresh ingredients and/or to access wider healthy lifestyle supports. 

“We aim to overcome these barriers with organisations and local families through establishing in each area a ‘Thrive Under 5’ network. This network will ensure the project aims and work plan align with local need, ideas and areas for development/activity.

“Work will directly benefit families by combining healthy lifestyle supports in relation to food insecurity, healthy eating, physical activity and financial inclusion. Participants will be given advice on ways to maximise income and opportunities for a helping hand of practical supports such as free meal packs with recipes for families, local pantry vouchers and fuel/cooking equipment support for those who need this.

“A local ‘Thrive Under 5’ network in each area will drive the project forward in partnership with local people.  We’re looking forward to seeing the positive difference that this project will make.”

For more information view a short introductory film and/or contact:

Programme lead: Siobhan Boyle, Health Improvement Lead
Siobhan.Boyle@ggc.scot.nhs.uk 

North West:  Lyndsay Thomson, Health Improvement Senior 
Lyndsay.Thomson@ggc.scot.nhs.uk 

North East: Lucy Sewell, Health Improvement Senior
Lucy.Sewell@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

South: Margaret Roberts, Health Improvement Senior
Margaret.roberts3@ggc.scot.nhs.uk