‘We are Made to Move’ – MEND family celebration event at the Emirates

On Saturday 11 July over 120 family members from Glasgow, East Ayrshire and Tayside congregated at Commonwealth Games venue Emirates Arena in Glasgow’s East End to celebrate being part of Big Lottery funded Healthy Powerful Communities programme MEND.

This partnership project is aiming to halt the rising levels of obesity and increase participation in physical activity. The MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it!) Programme was developed at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the University College London Institute of Child Health and is one of the UK's most innovative and effective obesity prevention and treatment programmes for; 2 to 4, 7 to 13 and teens (and their parents). The MEND Programme is a 10-week multi-component healthy lifestyle programme encompassing education on healthy eating, fun games to stimulate an active interest in physical activity and behaviour modification techniques to boost self-confidence.

The event was a wonderful success with families coming together for a day of action packed physical activity all led by MEND leaders. Most in attendance had never been to the Emirates and one parent commented:

“This programme has made a real difference to our lives and it’s so good to be here today and in this fantastic facility.”

In addition to the fun activities parents and partners were treated to presentations from co-founder of the programme Dr Paul Sacher who detailed the evidence base behind the intervention as well as sharing some of the findings. He said “The psychological benefits have been sustained over a period of 2.5 years after engagement in the programme”, highlighting the long term behaviour change success of the MEND programme. 

Dr Andrew Murray also presented to the group. He is a Sports and Exercise Medicine doctor who has worked for various professional sports teams and on tours and expeditions worldwide. He has worked for the Scottish Government as their Physical Activity Champion promoting exercise for health. After a highly engaging and motivating presentation he concluded with saying “60 minutes physical activity, regular physical activity a day is the single best present you can give a child.”

Jim Boyd, Programme Manager Scottish Sports Futures commented “The celebration event was a super way for us all within the MEND community to recognise the achievements of our families who have completed or are currently on the programmes, ensuring our continued support to help sustain our goal of being healthier, fitter and happier.  It was a pleasure to see the enjoyment, fun and smiles from all who took part.”

Ross Forsyth, Healthy Powerful Communities Service Manager with My Time Active has said “The Healthy Powerful Communities celebration event was a fantastic opportunity to bring together families and teams from across Scotland, to get active and celebrate the achievements of everyone involved. It was great to hear from Dr Andrew Murray and Dr Paul Sacher, around the importance of projects like Healthy Powerful Communities. Thanks to all of our partners who attended and Scottish Sports Futures for hosting us on the day.

"Hearing the impact of the project from families directly has inspired us all and I would personally like to thank each of the families who have graduated from one of our programmes for their dedication and commitment to improving their health and wellbeing.”

To refer to the programme in the North East of Glasgow or for more information, please call Jim Boyd on 0141 588 1567.

For more information about Scottish Sports Futures, call or email Kirsty Partridge, Programme Manager, Scottish Sports Futures on 0141 5881567, or visit the Scottish Sports Futures website.