Val McGee, chief operating officer, Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust writes for the Globe ...

I FEEL so fortunate doing my job because I get to meet so many different people, many of whom have amazing stories to tell.

As guest columnist this week I'd like to share my wonderful experience of attending Fit Club, a healthy lifestyles programme run by our 0-19 Health and Wellbeing Service, which supports children, young people and their families to make small, meaningful changes to their everyday lives.

A couple of weeks ago I was privileged to be asked to spend an afternoon with the Fit Club team and what an experience it was!

I was fortunate to see for myself the powerful impact Fit Club has on the lives of local families.

It is structured around the importance of healthy eating, portion size, emotional wellbeing and increasing activity levels and also offers 1-1 support for children above the 98th centile for BMI.

The team also work with a lot of children, young people and their families who have been referred via the national child measurement programme.

Did you know in 2017/2018 25% of children aged 4-5 living in Wirral were classed as overweight/very overweight, as were 36% of 10-11 year olds?*

Given that very overweight children are highly likely to become obese adults it’s vital we support families to live healthier lifestyles and Fit Club certainly provides this help and guidance.

My afternoon spent with the team gave me the opportunity to get involved in one of the physical activity sessions and witness the incredible relationships my colleagues have with the families they are working with and the dedicated support they provide.

The families who attend Fit Club have huge challenges, but the smiles on their faces and pure enjoyment of exercising together was sheer pleasure.

The feedback from parents, grandparents and kids who were attending the session was incredible and I am extremely proud of the team and how they encourage, support and break down barriers for these families.

A huge emphasis is placed on emotional health and wellbeing support in order to help families achieve their goals.

The team want to make a difference to people's lives and they clearly go the extra mile to help families live happier and healthier lives.

A grandparent of a young male who attended the session said: "Phil has been caring and very professional.

"We have been so pleased to work with him and the programme.

"My grandchild has come on with his outlook to food and fitness and has thoroughly enjoyed coming to the sessions and still looks forward to them every week.

"He is a lot more active and is enjoying all aspects of being slimmer and fitter. Confidence is what he has achieved."

Fit Club is a fantastic programme, offering help and guidance around healthy eating and physical activity as well as emotional health and wellbeing support.

If you are a parent or carer of a child who is struggling with their weight or if you would like any more information about Fit Club please speak to the team 0151 514 2509 or visit

www.wirralct.nhs.uk

* National Child Measurement Programme 2017/2018