Healthy eating scheme helps 225,000 West Midlanders - how schools can apply for a £5,000 grant

Birmingham schools are being invited to apply for £5,000 Health for Life grants to help pupils live healthier lives.

Mondelēz International, the owners of Cadbury in Bournville who run the scheme, is offering three awards to schools across the city.

It’s the tenth year that the awards have been offered. They have helped more than 225,000 adults and school children to learn about healthy eating across Birmingham and the West Midlands over the last decade - funding activities such as growing fruit and vegetables, learning about healthy eating, improving cooking skills and taking part in a range of physical activities.

The grants have helped to fund a green gym at Rowheath Park and for children to grow vegetables at Harborne Primary School.

What other ways has the Health for Life programme helped people in Birmingham and the West Midlands?

Mondelēz International has invested over £4.5m since it launched Health for Life in 2011, reaching more than 225,000 children and adults in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

It has engaged 189 Birmingham schools in the programme - comprising 146 primary, 25 nursery and 18 secondary schools, benefiting 66,000 pupils.

The 159,500 adults it has reached in the city include teachers, parents and community members.

Over 1,000 Mondelēz International employee volunteers have given practical support to the programme in schools and community spaces.

Health for Life has developed 17 community food growing spaces and continues to deliver Green Gym activities in five of these locations.

What can schools use the Health for Life grants from Mondelēz International for?

From a brand-new cooking classroom and school allotment to an all-new dance studio and playground, schools can choose what the substantial donation will help fund for their students.

Schools hoping to receive one of the grants will need to complete a two-part submission, with entries closing in spring 2022 and successful applications announced in the summer term.

To submit your Health for Life grant application click here

Who delivers the Health For Life Programme?

In addition to the Mondelēz International volunteers the Health for Life Programme is delivered in schools by Services For Education and in the community by The Conservation Volunteers.

Services For Education is a charity that uses the power of learning and music to create and build confidence among children, young adults in communities across the West Midlands.

It was formed in 2012 with the aim of supporting the wider community to become the best people they can be, regardless of their background.

The charity  works with nearly 600 schools in the West Midlands and increasingly across England.

It teaches music to nearly 38,000 children providing 27,000 musical instruments free-of-charge, as well as running 6 ensembles that are free to everyone.It also runs music schools, provides private music tuition to all ages as well as working with partners to deliver music and choral opportunities to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

The Conservation Volunteers (TVC) works across the UK to create healthier and happier communities for everyone.

TCV does this by bringing people together to create, improve and care for green spaces 0 from local parks and community gardens to Local Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

This includes school grounds and hospital grounds to waterways, wetlands and woodlands; connecting people to the green spaces that form a vital part of any healthy, happy community.

As part of Health for Life in the community, TCV delivers Green Gym sessions which help people get active outdoors, improving their environment and growing their own fruit and vegetables for a healthier lifestyle.

What has Mondelēz International said about the Health for Life Programme in their own words?

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, has been driving the Health for Life scheme for the past decade.

Kelly commented: “It’s truly been a privilege to be part of Health for Life and see the impact it’s made over the years. Talking to local school children and hearing how much they love having the chance to be outdoors, grow their own food and develop new cooking skills in school puts everything into perspective.

“Our aim a decade ago was simple; inspire local people to develop and sustain a healthy lifestyle culture at school, at home, and in their local community.

“The additional grant funding is a boost to enable three schools, with special projects in mind, to expand their efforts and offer students additional and engaging experiences to enjoy at school.

“We’re incredibly proud of everything the initiative has achieved and look forward to the next 10 years of Health for Life!”

How to apply for Health for Life grant for your school

To find out more about Health for Life and to submit your Health for Life grant application click here

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