Introduction

This web page has lots of ideas on how to improve your child’s well-being, including cooking healthy meals, finding great ways to exercise, how to live safely with COVID-19 and flu this winter, and much more. For more information about our local services, go to Family Services Directory.

Cost of living

We know the cost of living is an urgent problem for many of our residents, particularly as we’re now in the winter season.

Keep an eye out for Merton Council events, such as the Cost-of-Living roadshow drop-in sessions, where a range of organisations are available to answer questions and offer advice. Merton Council webpages feature a range of links to services which may be able to assist residents during this time.

These include:

• Local debt, housing and welfare support
  • Free School Meals
• Local emergency food and fuel
  • Community Fridge: Sustainable Merton
  • Merton GrowBaby
  • Food Bank Locations
• Local energy saving advice and support
• National and regional funding and support
  • UK Government advice

Healthy eating

Healthy eating doesn’t have to break the bank. NHS Better Health has a range of healthy recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner to suit different schedules and budget. Imagine juicy chicken drumsticks, herby pasta with yummy veg, delicious Panjabi dhal and vegetarian and vegan recipes... Video tutorials are also available for some recipes.

Healthy Start programme

If you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have children under the age of 4, you may be eligible for Healthy Start. Healthy Start is an NHS programme for families to spend money using their Healthy Start card on fruit, veg, milk and vitamins. This is worth £4.25 per week if you have children between the age of 1-4 years old and £8.50 week per child from birth to 1 years old. Eligible income criteria and what information you need to apply can be found online on the Healthy Start webpage.

You can use your Healthy Start food vouchers in any shop that is registered to take part in the scheme. There are over 90 registered retailers in Merton, so look out for the Healthy Start sticker in shop windows, or ask inside. To find participating retailers nearby online visit: www.healthystart.nhs.uk  

Vitamins are available from the reception at the following outlets:

• Acacia Children’s Centre, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham CR4 1SD. Tel: 020 8274 5300
• Ivy Gardens Children's Centre, Ivy Gardens, Mitcham CR4 1BR. Tel: 020 8274 5300
• Lavender Steers Mead Children’s Centre, Veals Mead CR4 3HL. Tel: 020 8274 5300
• Newminster Children's Centre, Newminster Road, Morden SM4 6HJ. Tel: 020 8274 5300

The NHS has 8 tips for healthy eating on their website, the Eatwell Guide and can also guide you on what to feed young children.

Mental health and emotional well-being for young people

As a parent, you want the best for your child’s mental well-being. It is so important to look out for each other’s mental and emotional health, and there are lots of resources available which might help you and your family.

Good Thinking provides some wellbeing tips, podcasts, links to free apps (and more) for young people to help with anxiety, stress, poor sleep and more as well as resources for parents and carers.

Thrive LDN also signposts to a range of wellbeing websites and has partnered with Doctors of the World to produce wellbeing resources in different languages.

Another resource is Stem4Apps which are free apps for young people to help manage anxiety, low mood and other mental health issues.

Physical activity

You’d be surprised how much regular exercise, whether around your house, in the garden or around your local park, can help improve your fitness, wellbeing and that of your children! Merton has a range of different activities taking place in the borough to get involved with.

Try 23 in 2023 – Many Merton residents would be planning to mark the start of the new year with making their New Year resolutions. Now here is an idea... Whether you are a parent or a child, commit to challenging yourself this year with our tailored list of 23 activities (click here to see the lists: Merton Can) that you could do in 2023 to look and feel healthier. It’s realistic. And it’s fun! 

COVID-19

Now that we are learning to live with COVID-19, it is still important that you keep yourself, your family and wider community safe. We can all do this by continuing to follow the 5 key messages on the poster above.

Getting vaccinated is one of the most important ways to protect yourself and your family – the autumn booster is available to those who are at high risk of complications from getting the COVID-19 virus and includes anyone over the age of 5 with a health condition and paid or unpaid carers – check full eligibility here: How to get a booster dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (NHS).

If you have not yet had either of your first two doses of the vaccine (or a third dose for those with a weakened immune system) there is still time – but don’t put it off for too long.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine including booking an appointment or finding a walk-in clinic in Merton, please visit Covid-19 - NHS South West London Integrated Care Board.

Flu

Flu is a very common and highly infectious disease. While flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life threatening for some, particularly people with certain health conditions.

• You can find more information on how to get your flu vaccine by visiting: Find a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination (NHS)
• You might be eligible for free flu vaccination if you meet the eligibility criteria below: Flu vaccine (NHS)

This year there is increased risk of co-circulation of the COVID-19 and flu - get both vaccines to maximise protection if you are eligible.

Summary

To find out more about what is going on in your local area, please subscribe to our newsletter and look out for the quarterly My Merton magazine.

Further links to Council services can also be found on this website and via the Family Service Directory. Other opportunities for young people in Merton to get involved with Merton Council are available via Merton’s Youth Services or via Linktree where young people can have their voices heard.

Holiday Activities and Food programme

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has projects across Merton for children and young people from 5 years old to 15 years. In school holidays they can enjoy:

• Sports, including football, basketball, dodgeball and athletics
• Creative activities including theatre workshops, film making, music production, dance workshops and arts and craft
• Trips out - trampolining centres, famous sports venues, central London days out, beaches on the South coast, theme parks, animal petting and others
• Preparing ingredients and learning about cooking great food.

There are drinks and snacks throughout sessions and a hot meal during every session. Each project is delivered by qualified coaches and staff, who help children and young people achieve their best in a safe and fun environment. There are trips to the Pantomimes too.

HAF projects are free for children and young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Other children can attend most projects by paying a daily fee.

For children and young people with SEND the programme is becoming more inclusive every holiday, with specialist staff to enable children to participate in mainstream HAF projects where they can, and specialist HAF projects where needed.

You can find more details about the HAF programme by visiting www.merton.gov.uk/haf.

See what’s on offer and book your places soon!

Please contact haf@merton.gov.uk if you have any questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you.