Skip to content

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 

If you're 18 years or above and registered with a Hertfordshire GP you can refer yourself to one of our weight management programmes.

When you join, you can expect:

  • Free support to help you maintain a healthy weight
  • Individual sessions with your dedicated health advisors
  • A personalised healthy eating and exercise plan
  • Regular weight checks
  • Access to a digital learning platform.

Check you're eligible for one of our programmes:

My Healthy Weight

You're eligible for the free 14-week programme if you have:

  • a BMI ≥ 30, or 
  • a BMI ≥ 27.5 (for ethnic minority communities and individuals with long term health conditions).
  • not previously paid to attend My Healthy Weight sessions in the last 3 months
  • not attended and completed a free course in the past 12 months (e.g. National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP), Digital Weight Management Programme (DWMP), Shape Up, Weight Watchers, Oviva or Slimming World).

 

My Healthy Weight Plus +

You're eligible for a year of support if you have:

  • a BMI ≥ 30, plus new on-set Type 2 Diabetes and a completed Tier 2 course or Type 2 Diabetes path to remission programme, or
  • a BMI ≥ 35 (for individuals with related co-morbidities such as, but not limited to, Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes).

 

My Healthy Pregnancy

LYB Gain healthier weightYou're eligible for a year of support if you:

  • are pregnant, or plan to be pregnant
  • have a BMI ≥40, or
  • have a BMI ≥37.5 (for ethnic minority communities and individuals with one or more long term health conditions).
  • There's a better chance of avoiding pregnancy complications, including high blood pressure, blood clots, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
  • The likelihood of early miscarriage in pregnancy lowers by 5%
  • Less likely to have a stillbirth
  • A baby is more likely to be born a high birth weight of over 4kg (8.8lbs) which can lead to lasting health complications.

 


Advice for families

Pregnancy and the early years

  • 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.

Rate this page