Children's Trust Meeting

As Chair of Reading Children's Trust Board I attended the regular meeting last Wednesday.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY

We had a presentation on Childhood Obesity and we reviewed the action plan to monitor progress on targets to reduce obesity amongst schoolchildren. The Trust heard the new projects to encourage children to play sport, eat five pieces of fruit and/or vegetable each day and to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

Work in schools have identified that childhood obesity is linked to poverty, but also linked to emotional and psychological wellbeing. Bullying may be a causal link and the esteem of children can affect the lifestyle of a child. Childhood obesity trends with other comparative areas show that we are in line with other towns. However, childhood obesity is a concern, nationally and locally and that schools, clubs, parents, politicians and professionals have to work harder to encourage families and children to adopt a healthy lifestyle of exercise and good diet.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The Trust agreed to look at providing programmes for both the victim's of domestic violence and the perpetrators in order to lessen the negative impact domestic violence has on children in the home. We agreed that measures just to protect children are not enough without prioritising the parents, including finding out the root causes of domestic violence and working to stop it within individuals. The Trust looked at working with the victims of domestic violence, usually the mother of the children affected with a view to raising their esteem and developing strategies to combat bullying and violence in the home. Extra finances will be made available to work to reduce domestic violence which is a major violent crime recorded by the police and other agencies.

THINK FAMILY

The Trust heard about the exciting new programme financed by the Government to prioritise families that are a vulnerable to poverty, ill health, homelessness and unemployment. We discussed ways in which professionals can work together to alleviate stress and damage to families who are experiencing problems. This is something that is needed in the current economic climate with families finding it hard to cope.