Between 2001 and 2004, the King’s Fund worked in partnership with the Millennium Commission to offer grant-funding, support and training to 255 people working at community level to improve the health of Londoners.

Each got a maximum 2,000 cash grant from Lottery funding, and took part in a 13-day King’s Fund leadership development programme designed to build skills in project management and networking.

This is one of a series of case studies exploring how individuals living in London have used the King’s Fund Millennium Awards scheme to make a real difference to the health of others in their communities.

The context

A balanced diet can improve children’s overall health as well as their attention levels, behaviour and educational attainment. However, it can be difficult to encourage children to eat healthily, whether they take a lunch-box to school or eat school meals.

Working with parents and staff at a school in North London, Bernadette Igboaka hosted a one-day event to raise awareness of the benefits to children of eating a balanced diet, and to encourage greater use of ethnic foods in packed and school lunches.

Sample packed lunches were prepared and nutritional information was provided. As a result, many parents have adapted their children’s packed lunches to include healthier and more varied options, and the school now offers an ethnic lunch menu and a breakfast club.

Full Article..The King’s Fund, PDF File