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Hertfordshire County Council


Eating well

Support accessing food (including food banks)

To find food banks and other local services in your area:

Financial support for families
Including free school meals and free food, milk and vitamins from the Healthy Start scheme.
 

Weight management service

A free 12-week programme from Oviva in partnership with Slimming World.

Puts you in control of your health, providing information on how to best manage your weight and to help you make long-term changes to your lifestyle

Slimming World offers weekly face to face group support. You are motivated and encouraged in the hour-long weekly meetings to share experiences, recipes and ideas with your group members in a warm, supportive environment.

Oviva offers a digital programme where you will receive weekly personalised support from a health coach on the Oviva app or via phone or video calls from the comfort of your own home.

Are you eligible?

To qualify for the free 12-week programme you need to:

  • be aged 18 or over
  • be registered with a Hertfordshire GP Practice located in an area of high deprivation and meet the eligibility criteria.

Speak to your GP to find out if their practice qualifies

  • have a BMI over 30 or if you have a long-term condition e.g. diabetes, COPD or CVD
  • have not paid to attend Oviva or Slimming World sessions in the last 3 months
  • have not attended a free 12-week Weight Watchers or Shape Up programme in the past 12 months

Or 

  • be registered with a Hertfordshire GP in all locations 
  • have a BMI over 30 or if you have a long-term condition e.g. diabetes, COPD or CVD or are pregnant
  • be in one of the following priority groups:
    • pregnant women 
    • people with learning and/or physical disabilities
    • those with a mental illness
    • those waiting for an operation/surgery (the programme must be complete at least 1 month before the surgery date).

 

Self-referrals are not accepted. There is the option of self-funding the weight management programme.

 

 

Self-help options

The NHS 12 week weight loss guide includes a meal plan and a schedule to help you track your food and exercise.

British Heart Foundation - take control of your weight - top tips for successful weight loss, simple food swaps and how to stay active after a heart event.


Advice for families

 
Pregnancy and the early years

  • Oviva in partnership with Slimming World are delivering a free 12-week health and wellness programme for pregnant women. Choose either digital support through Oviva or face-to-face group sessions with Slimming World. Ask your GP or midwife to see if you are eligible for referral.
  • NHS - healthy diet during pregnancy – including information on supplements, foods to avoid, free Healthy Start vitamins and food vouchers.
  • Start4Life – healthy eating advice from pregnancy until your child's second birthday.

 
Children and families

  • Change 4 Life – help your child maintain a healthy weight and stay active.
  • Beezee Families – a free programme to help the whole family maintain a healthy weight.
  • Food facts – find out what’s in the food your family eats.
     

Worried about your child?

If you are concerned that your child is underweight, showing signs of an eating disorder or needs body image support:

 

 

 

Download this app from Google Play. Download this app from the Apple App Store.

NHS Weight Loss Plan

A 12-week plan to help you lose weight.

Download this app from Google Play. Download this app from the Apple App Store.

Active 10 app

Build up your daily walks – start with 10 minutes every day!

Download this app from Google Play. Download this app from the Apple App Store.

Easy Meals app

Meal ideas, recipes, cooking tips.

Download this app from Google Play. Download this app from the Apple App Store.

Food Scanner app

Find out what's really in your food and drink.

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