Fifteen schools from across Birmingham have been awarded with Health for Life certification at an event attended by the Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services, and held in the city’s grand Council House.
Representatives from St Columba’s Catholic Primary School collect their Health for Life awards
Representatives from the 15 schools were presented with plaques and certificates by Cllr Brigid Jones, which celebrated the achievements that they have made under the Health for Life initiative which launched back in October 2012.
Pupils who completed the Health for Life programme took on projects including developing allotment sites, the introduction of new fruit and vegetable growing areas, cookery sessions and clubs aimed at families and children.
Dr Sandra Passmore, education adviser at Birmingham Health Education Service, said: “Achieving this award is difficult, and we know that everyone involved has put in a lot of work to ensure that the programme has made a real difference to school life, the students and their families.
Funded by the Mondelēz International Foundation and aimed at achieving a sustained difference in healthy lifestyles across five wards of South Birmingham, Health for Life is a £3.1million five year programme which supports fun activities that engage people in growing food, healthy eating and cookery and physical activity.
Cllr Jones said: “There is nothing more important than living a healthy lifestyle and it’s an honour to be able to present such important awards. The Health for Life programme has proven to be extremely successful and I hope that it will continue to help shape the future of health initiatives within the city.”
Sonia Chaatwal, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International added: “This event was all about recognising the hard work put in by staff and students alike. The Mondelēz International Foundation is proud to fund such an important project that has already been proven to have a positive influence in the city.”
The programme is being delivered by Birmingham Health Education Service (BHES), working with Life Education Centres West Midlands, and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).