PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR TEACHING STAFF AND PARENT CONTACTS
Happy New Year!
The Healthy Lives Team Families update contains helpful information and activities for your whole school community
This is the FAMILIES newsletter from The Healthy Lives Team. Every month, on the first or second Friday, we share relevant information, activities and resources to support your families ongoing health and wellbeing.
The HEALTHY LIVES TEAM supports schools, pupils and families with everything to do with health and wellbeing. We want to help you to live fitter, healthier and happier lives.
We now have a Healthy Lives Team webpage where you can find out more about the team and access Healthy Schools resources and all our archived newsletters.
Draft Department for Education (DfE) guidance and consultation on gender questioning children
In December 2023, the Department for Education (DfE) published its draft non-statutory guidance for Schools and Colleges on Gender Questioning Children. The draft includes guidance and practical support for schools and colleges on ‘supporting children who are questioning their gender’, ‘protecting pupils from bullying or abuse’ and ‘maintaining child safety and wellbeing’.
The DfE is now seeking views, as part of a 12-week consultation, which closes at 11:59pm on 12th March 2024. They welcome views from organisations such as charities, schools/colleges and individuals including Governors, parents and students.
Youth Out East LGBTQ+ Zoom meetings (12-18 year olds)
Elop's Youth Out East Youth Groups for LGBTQ+ young people aged 12-18, offers a free, safe, inclusive and affirmative space to make friends, take part in fun activities and share experiences with other LGBTQ+ young people. As well as making friends, young people can join discussions and activities and have fun with other LGBTQ+ young people.
The sessions run every Tuesday evening on Zoom (online) at the following times:
- 5:00-6:30PM (for 12 -15 year olds)
- 7:00-8:30PM (for 15 - 18 year olds)
A young person can refer themselves to the youth service, or you can refer on their behalf to join the sessions. To make a referral, email youth@elop.org or call 07720 461 158 Mon-Fri during office hours.
Launch of Family Hubs Tower Hamlets
Family Hubs bring together all services on offer for children and families who live in the borough, putting relationships at the heart of family support. Examples of the support available are: professional advice and support, groups and sessions and opportunities for learning, play and socialising.
Keep up to date with news, opportunities, training, events and sessions by visiting the new Family Hubs website, linked below. This month will also see the launch of a new Family Hubs newsletter, please sign-up to receive updates.
Mile End Parkrun
What is Mile End parkrun?
A free, fun, friendly, weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!
When is it?
Every Saturday at 9:00am.
Where is it?
The event takes place at Mile End park. A link to the course and map is provided below.
What does it cost to join in?
Nothing - it's free! Please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and please don't forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode. If you forget it, you won't get a time. Request a reminder of your barcode below.
How fast do I have to be?
All participants take part for their own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!
Mile End parkrun needs you!
It is entirely organised by volunteers - email mileend@parkrun.com if you would like to help.
We're friendly!
Every week participants can grab a post parkrun coffee in a local café - everyone is welcome!
Has your child missed any of their routine vaccinations?
If your child has missed a vaccination offered in school, they can still receive the vaccination by attending a local clinic. Please either email School Vaccinations UK at appointments@v-uk.co.uk, call on 02076139422 or attend a January catch-up clinic listed below.
- FLU VACCINATION: Rec –Year 11
- HPV: Year 8
- DTP & MeningitisACWY: Year 9
- MMR: Rec – Year 13
Updated catch-up clinic dates:
-
Thursday 18th January,15:00 - 18:00
at Gough Walk GP Practice, 21 Newby Pl, London E14 0EY
and
-
Tuesday 23rd January,15:00 - 18:00
at East London Mosque, 82-92 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1JQ
 Parents Survey - Help to redesign the Youth Service
- Tower Hamlets Council is investing £13.7 million into developing an exciting new youth service, 'Young Tower Hamlets', for young people aged from 11-19 and up to 25 with SEND across the borough.
- The council are seeking the views of parents, carers and caregivers and would like to know what you think the new Youth Service should offer young people and what that offer should look like.
- There have been 194 responses from parents so far...
Raising awareness of testicular health problems in boys and young men
The North East London Cancer Alliance is funding a project aimed at raising awareness of testicular health problems that can be experienced by boys and young men. Testicular cancer rates start to rise in the mid-teens, while testicular torsion (twisting) rates start to rise even younger, at around age 11. Both conditions can be treated easily if diagnosed early but can become more serious if left for too long before medical intervention, potentially resulting in the removal of a testicle and/or advanced cancer.
The project aims to reach all boys in North East London with NHS-approved testicular health education, and would like parents and carers to be aware too, so that you know what to do if your son raises any concerns with you. Please look at www.testicularhealth.info to find out more about what to look out for and when to seek medical help – early intervention makes a big difference.
The Healthy Steps Programme has launched -NHS
Healthy Steps is a FREE 8-week email programme from the NHS aimed at families with children aged 5-11. It encourages families to eat better, move more and provides practical ideas, whilst still being budget conscious. You can sign up at any time by completing a short quiz about your current eating and physical activity habits, once complete you will receive tailored emails on reducing sugar, eating 5-a-day and meal planning. Families can also set goals or tasks for themselves to support their progress.
Healthy Start – free healthy food and vitamins
If you have children between the ages of 0-4, you may be eligible to access money for healthy food and milk. Healthy Start has switched from paper vouchers to card that can be used in the same way as a bank card. If you used to receive Healthy Start vouchers, you’ll need to reapply.
If you’re pregnant or have a child under the age of four in Tower Hamlets, you can also collect free vitamins from a Children’s and Family Centre.
 "Every journey begins with a single step"
Maya Angelou
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The Healthy Lives Team
The Healthy Lives Team want to support you with all aspects of health and wellbeing. We will be sending you regular newsletters that will be relevant whether you are at school, work, or at home.
Please feel free to share this email.
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We are incredibly proud in Tower Hamlets to have supported schools to gain more Healthy Schools awards than any other borough in London. So please use this newsletter in whatever way suits you best to stay as fit and healthy as possible.
If you're in a school, please share this newsletter using your social media or website using the following share button, or you can click the hyperlink in the top right corner of this email:
Subscribing to this newsletter
Just to let you know, you're receiving this because you have either opted in to get emails from the council relating to children and education, or you are one of the Healthy Lives team's regular contacts, or you may also have been forwarded this email from your school.
If you or anyone you know would like to sign up to this newsletter, please use the following link.
Take care,
The Healthy Lives team at London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Useful links
Did you know that Tower Hamlets offers other email newsletters to keep you up to date on a variety of topics?
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