Haringey carers/parents are being urged to make the most of the Healthy Start scheme amid the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis.
Launched originally back in 2006 by the government, Healthy Start was set up to ensure that low-income mothers who are more than 10 weeks’ pregnant, or parents who have children under four, have access to support to purchase healthy food, milk (dairy & formula) and vitamin supplements* (*for the mother during pregnancy, as well as for the baby/child).
However, very many eligible parents across the country are still not in receipt of this vital support to young families at a very challenging and difficult time for them financially.
The lingering problems around overall uptake for this national programme have increased following a poorly designed and implemented national IT campaign. This has made it difficult for many people to get the support to which they are entitled.
That said, it remains vitally important that young children, parents and families in Haringey continue to receive the support they’re eligible for and duly receive what’s rightfully theirs to claim.
Cllr Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families and Cllr Seema Chandwani, Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and Resident Services, said:
Our provision for children and young people is at the heart of this administration and we want babies, infants and toddlers in this borough to continue to get the very best start in life.
That’s why we want expectant mums and dads-to-be, and those with children under four, to have a look at the eligibility criteria to see if they could receive the Healthy Start support.
We know just how difficult life is increasingly becoming for some of our residents amid the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis. Healthy Start will help with the everyday essentials at a critical time in a child’s development and we are urging everyone eligible to apply. We will continue to work with our residents to ensure they are getting the best possible support they can.
For further information, please visit the Healthy Start pages on this website.
There, you can find more details on who is eligible for the Healthy Start scheme, what it provides and how to apply (external link).
If you are eligible for the Healthy Start scheme, you can also apply by calling: 0300 330 7010.
