A service to help families stay active and healthy will kick off in the New Year with a range of free specialist sessions.

The MEND sessions, backed by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, are being run by service provider MyTime Active as a means to promote healthy, active lifestyles and good nutrition.

The sessions form part of a three-year programme for under-18s and post-natal women with courses kicking off in January 2016.

“We are investing in MEND as part of our commitment to tackling childhood obesity and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles for families through fun opportunities and activities,” said Cllr Vivienne Lukey, Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care.

The programme is for children and young people in schools, nurseries and children’s centres with games and activities with a focus on good nutrition and physical activity.

MEND, which stands for ‘Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it!’, has courses split across four groups of residents:

MEND Mums - A six-week course including energy-boosting workouts and nutrition tips for mother and baby (0-2 years)

• Old Oak Children’s Centre, 76 Braybrook Street, W12 0AP, Mondays, 10am-11.30am, starting 22 February.
• Fulham  Central Children’s Centre, Shottendane Road, SW6 5PG, Tuesdays, 10.30am-Midday, starting 23 February.
• Masbro Chlildren’s Centre, 87 Masbro Road, W14 0LR, Thursdays, 11.15am-12.45pm, starting 25 February.

MEND Mini – A six-week course offering interactive food-related activities plus games and exercises for two to five-year-olds

• Fulham  Central Children’s Centre, Shottendane Road, SW6 5PG, Tuesdays, 10.30am-11.30am, starting 5 January.
• Wendell Park Family Centre, Cobbold Road, W12 9LB, Thursdays, 9.30am-10.30am, starting 7 January.
• Old Oak Children’s Centre, 76 Braybrook Street, W12 0AP, Thursdays, 1.30pm-2.30pm, starting 25 February.

MEND 5-7 – A ten-week course boosting awareness of healthy eating, nutrition, active play and more

• White City Community Centre, 7 India Way, W12 7QT, Tuesdays, 3.45pm-5.30pm, starts 12 January.

MEND 7-13 – A ten-week course to change physical activity and eating habits for the better

• Normand Croft Community School, Bramber Road, W14 9PA, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3.45pm-5.45pm, starts 12 January.

All courses are free and delivered by trained, specialist professionals.

The MEND programme will also be offered in neighbouring boroughs to ensure there are opportunities for as many children as possible to take part.